Dhenkanal, April 1: Four members of a family allegedly committed suicide by consuming expired malaria medicines in Mahiashapat within the limits of Dhenkanal town police station late last night.

Arjun Charan Sahu, 62, a retired government employee, took his wife, daughter and two sons to hospital in an ambulance when he came to know that they had consumed the poisonous substance.

However, all the four died on their way to hospital. The deceased were identified as Sakuntala Sahu, 60, elder daughter Rojaline, 35, son Ashish, 31, and younger son Smruti Ranjan, 28. The police said Rojaline was paralytic, while Smruti Ranjan was also a physically-challenged person. The family was entirely dependent on Arjun’s pension.

“I found all of them nauseating. When I asked one of my sons, he said they all had consumed overdose of expired malaria drug in an attempt to commit suicide. I immediately called an ambulance to take them to hospital. But, no one survived. Acute financial problem and the plight of ailing daughter have always put my family under heavy mental stress. This might have led to them to end their life,” said Arjun.

The police have seized all bodies and sent them for post-mortem.

“We are waiting for the post-mortem report and also conducting further investigations,” said Dhenkanal superintendent of police Manoranjan Mahanty.