Udupi: The investigation by Shirva police has given a new twist to the mass suicide case of the family in Padubelle near Shirva as police suspect financial problem as the cause for the incident.

Shanker Acharya (50), had allegedly committed suicide along with his family members in fear of facing a probe for pledging artificial jewelry at Padubelle branch of the Innaje Cooperative Bank for a loan of Rs. 54 lakh.

Sources state that the bank was going to approach the police to register a complaint in this regard. It is suspected that with the impending wedding of his daughter, Acharya was worried over arranging funds and this is suspected to be the reason behind the drastic step.

After the primary investigation, it is suspected that Shanker had mixed cyanide in the Theertha Prasada in the morning and offered the same to his unknowing wife and daughters and had later consumed the same.

Police have seized the house as well as jewellery shop of Shanker Acharya and are scrutinizing various documents.