A family of 11 found dead at their home in New Delhi had been observing "spiritual, mystical practices", Indian police have said.
Officers cordoned off the property in the north of the capital where the bodies of seven female and four male victims were discovered early yesterday.
"It is still too early (to know what happened). It is an ongoing investigation and we haven't ruled out anything," a Delhi police official said.
A police statement drew attention to the family's spiritual beliefs. It is believed that they took their own lives.
"During search of the house, certain handwritten notes have been found which point towards observance of some definite spiritual, mystical practices by the whole family," they said.
The police said that the house had not been robbed or ransacked, and detectives await the results of post mortem examinations on the bodies.
The dead included two brothers, their wives, five children and a 77-year-old woman. The youngest to die were two 15-year-old brothers.
Local news reports said a neighbour made the discovery after checking on the family after they failed to open their shop.
Police are questioning neighbours and scanning CCTV footage in the area for leads.
