Pune, Jun 27 (PTI) Investigations into the deaths of nine members of the family of two brothers in Maharashtra's Sangli district, which was suspected to be a case of suicide earlier, revealed that the deceased were allegedly poisoned to death by a "mantrik" and his driver, police said on Monday, adding the accused duo was arrested.

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The bodies were found in the houses of the siblings, one a teacher and the other a veterinarian, around a kilometre apart in Mhaisal village on June 20, with an initial police probe pointing towards a suicide pact possibly from distress due to massive debts and harassment by lenders.

"We have arrested a 'mantrik' and his driver for murder. Investigations have revealed these two people had allegedly poisoned to death nine members of the family," said Inspector General of Police (Kolhapur Range) Manoj Kumar Lohiya.

A police official said section 302 (Punishment for murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) will be invoked.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)