A pall of grief descended over the city after five relatives were cremated together on Monday. The bodies of Reshma Srivastava (55), a resident of Nakshatra Nagar, driver Anurag Rajak (25), Rahul Rajak, Piyush Rai, Shanu of Madhotal–Karmeta reached the city on Monday. Notably, they were killed in a tragic road accident when returning from a pilgrimage and were on their way to Khatu Shyam when their car collided head-on with a truck, on February 14. The group had first visited Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain for darshan and later left for Khatu Shyam Temple.

 

In the early hours of Saturday, while traveling on National Highway 52 in Rajasthan, their car rammed into an oncoming trailer truck near Chaksu. All five occupants of the vehicle died in the collision. Post-mortem examinations were conducted in Chaksu, after which the bodies were brought back to the city. As news of the arrival of the mortal remains spread, large crowds gathered outside the victims’ homes. Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as grieving family members broke down in tears. On Monday, all five victims were cremated together. As the funeral processions began, emotional scenes were witnessed, with family members and local residents in tears. A large number of people joined the final rites, and the entire area observed mourning in memory of the deceased.