The brother of the late Nirmal Kumar said he and his family received the tragic news while on holiday in India.

Rajesh Kumar and his family jetted into the country yesterday after being away for almost a month.

Rajesh is the younger brother of the late Mr Kumar.

Mr Kumar and his wife, Usha, their daughter, Nileshni Kajal and their grandchildren, Sana, 11, Samarah, 8, were found dead in the Nausori Highlands on Monday.

One-year-old Samaira Kumar was found alive.

Heartbroken Rajesh said: “We went for a vacation and visited Singapore, Malaysia and India for a month.

“We got the message about the deaths in Calcutta. But I last spoke to my brother on Thursday last week.”

The last conversation he had with Mr Kumar was reminding him to switch off the lights at their house.

“That is how we normally looked out for each other.”

Rajesh also revealed how Mr Kumar himself had just returned from Sydney, Australia, before they left for India.

Rajesh was still questioning how such tragedy could have struck their family.

“It is shocking. What happened? How did he leave the house in such a hurry that they forgot to inform others?

“What was the point of parking the vehicle in that carpark and hop into another car?

“How they were killed? And why so in such an inhumane way?

“We are real brothers and we did not have any major mishaps.

“We shared the pooja place and we shared our carpentry tools.”

Vigil and funeral rites

Rajesh said the last funeral rites would be held at Votualevu College on Saturday.

The casket will be brought to their residence for viewing for the close-knit family before the cremation at Votualevu Cemetery.

Mr Kumar’s elder brother who lives in Canada is also expected to arrive today.

A prayer vigil will be held at the Handicraft Centre in Nadi at 6pm today.

Organiser, Mohammed Aiyaz, said last night: “We will have a pundit, maulana and a pastor.

“Wear black or bring a black ribbon and come and pray for the lost souls.”

Meanwhile, Police presence was still heavy at the home of the deceased in Legalega, Nadi, last night with the home still being cordoned off..

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj