Canal bath turns tragic, bodies of two cousins found after search

A weekend meant to offer respite from the searing heat ended in tragedy for two cousins in Jhajjar district, as the bodies of Amit (32) and Vikas (28) — both residents of Azad Nagar — were recovered from the Akehri Madanpur pump house on Sunday morning, two days after they went missing while bathing in the Jawaharlal Nehru Canal near Matanhail village.

According to police, the two had entered the canal on Friday evening, hoping to cool off from the oppressive temperatures. When their motorbike, slippers and wallets were later found abandoned near the canal bank, alarm bells rang. Suspecting drowning, authorities launched a search and rescue operation with divers and boats, but efforts proved fruitless until Sunday.

It was only when staff at the Akehri Madanpur pump house noticed something lodged in the filter system that the grim discovery was made. They immediately informed the police, who arrived at the spot along with a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to examine the scene and collect evidence.

Both Amit and Vikas were working as apprentice carpenters at a workshop in Khaparwas village. Their employer confirmed that the two had left work early on Friday, saying they were heading for a bath in the canal. When they failed to return home, their worried families filed a missing report, triggering the search operation.

Police officials stated that both victims were believed to be competent swimmers, but the strong current and high water levels in the canal likely overwhelmed them, leading to the tragic drowning.

After a preliminary forensic examination, the bodies were taken to the Jhajjar Civil Hospital for postmortem. They were later handed over to the bereaved families for final rites.

The victims, both married and fathers to young children, leave behind grieving households and a community in mourning.

Haryana Tribune