Young Man Jumps into Ganga Amid Allegations of Harassment

A tragic incident unfolded in Kanpur on the morning of March 15, 2024, when a 26-year-old man, identified as Om Prakash, jumped into the Ganga River from the barrage. This drastic action reportedly stemmed from ongoing harassment allegations involving his wife, Seema, and her family.

Witnesses stated that Om Prakash left his home on his motorcycle, telling his mother, Ram Dulari, he was going to buy milk for their three-year-old daughter, Vanshika. Instead, he drove to the Ganga barrage, parked his bike, and leapt from gate number 26 into the river.

Local authorities responded promptly after being alerted by witnesses. However, rescue efforts were severely hindered due to a power failure that prevented the closure of the barrage gates, and strong currents posed additional challenges for divers attempting to conduct a search.

As frustration mounted among Om Prakash’s family, they staged a road blockade that obstructed the barrage-to-Unnao lane for approximately thirty minutes. Amit Chaurasia, Assistant Commissioner of Police for the Colonelganj Circle, arrived with reinforcements to address the situation and disperse the protestors.

Om Prakash’s family recounted the events leading up to the incident. According to his father, Nanhku, their son had been living separately from Seema and their daughter since a recent dispute caused Seema to return to her parents’ home, leaving Vanshika behind. Govind, Om Prakash’s elder brother, stated that the ongoing tension and perceived harassment from Seema and her family significantly contributed to Om Prakash’s state of distress.

At approximately 10:00 am, after two hours of inaction, police finally closed the barrage gates around 12:30 pm, allowing divers from the local area and the water police to begin their search for Om Prakash. Despite their efforts, the strong current continued to pose a significant risk, complicating the rescue operation.

“We are making every effort to find him,”

said ACP Chaurasia, emphasizing the commitment of local authorities to locate Om Prakash amidst the challenging conditions.

As the situation continues to evolve, the community is left grappling with the tragic events that led to this incident, highlighting the serious implications of domestic disputes and the urgent need for support systems for affected individuals.