In a startling incident a drunk youth tried to jump into the funeral pyre of his girlfriend at the Shanti Ghat on the Kanhan river on Monday evening. The youth, identified as Anurag Rajendra Meshram (27), a resident of Hanuman Nagar in Parseoni town, was beaten up by angry onlookers and is now in critical condition. According to New Kamptee Police, Anshika Nitin Khobragade (19), a resident of the same area, was in a love relationship with Anurag. On Sunday around 7 pm, Anshika committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan in her bedroom. Her younger sister discovered the incident and immediately informed their parents. With the help of a neighbour, Anshika was rushed to a private hospital in Kamptee where the doctors declared her dead on arrival. Following a complaint by her father, Nitin Khobragade, a case was registered at the Kanhan Police Station.

 

After the post-mortem was conducted at Kamptee Upazila Hospital, Anshika’s body was handed over to the family at around 2 pm on Monday for the last rites. At around 4 pm the same day, family members and relatives gathered at Shanti Ghat by Kanhan river to perform Anshika’s final rites. As the pyre was lit, Anurag arrived at the scene in an intoxicated state. Full of emotion and grief, he tried to jump onto the burning pyre. Eye-witnesses said that Anurag shouted loudly and suddenly ran towards the pyre, attempting to throw himself into the flames. Shocked and angered, some of the people present stopped him and thrashed him. Severely injured, Anurag was left unconscious at the riverbed. Someone informed Anurag’s father, Rajendra Meshram, and elder brother Pawan Meshram, who rushed to the spot and took him to a private hospital in Kamptee.

 

Doctors immediately shifted Anurag to the ICU, where he remains unconscious and critical. Upon receiving information about the incident, ACP Vishal Kshirsagar and Senior Police Inspector Mahesh Andhale of New Kamptee Police Station visited the hospital and then cremation site. Police officials confirmed that they would wait for Anurag to regain consciousness before proceeding with a formal statement and further legal action. Anurag’s family members have claimed that he was brutally assaulted by people present at the funeral, allegedly relatives of Anshika. His father Rajendra and brother Pawan demanded a full investigation into the assault and urged the police to take strict action against those responsible. Speaking to the media, Senior PI Mahesh Andhale said, “We are waiting for Anurag Meshram to regain consciousness so we can take his statement. Further action will be taken after a thorough investigation.”