Indian couple, 9-year-old son jump to their deaths from London luxury apartment

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 9, 2026 17:19 IST

An Indian couple and their terminally ill son died after falling from the balcony of their 36th-floor apartment in London on May 27 in a suspected suicide pact, British media reported on Tuesday.

Rakesh Pai (47) and Aditi Paralkar (46) and their nine-year-old son, Sid, fell from their apartment in the UNCLE tower block in London. According to the Daily Mail, the couple allegedly took the step after doctors reportedly said there were no further treatment options for their terminally ill son.

However, friends of the family have rejected suggestions that the deaths were the result of a suicide pact.

Neil Coyle, Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said, "It's a terrible tragedy. Just awful. Some constituents saw it happen. The suggestion was that the child was born in the UK with severe illnesses, which the police inferred contributed to their horrendous decision."

According to reports, Pai and Paralkar moved from Mumbai to London in the 2000s and built successful careers. Pai worked as a financial consultant, while Paralkar held senior roles in the construction sector.

Their son, Sid, had been diagnosed with multiple health conditions requiring special educational support, including a kidney condition that left him unable to speak. Paralkar home-schooled and cared for him, a responsibility that reportedly took a significant toll on her mental health.

The family returned to Mumbai around six years ago in an effort to seek better medical treatment for Sid. However, after doctors were unable to offer further treatment, they moved back to the UK, according to Metro.

"Aditi had no family in the UK and also did a very demanding job, so it was very difficult for her to manage everything. It took a huge toll on her mental health, and I think it may have just got too much for her," a family friend told the Daily Mail.

Police have yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which have been classified as "unexpected". The next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, according to police officials.

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