A 31‑year‑old software engineer from Prithvipur in Madhya P
radesh, Hemant Soni, died after falling into the Ganga River near Rishikesh.
His body was found in a dam about 15 kilometres downstream from the city on Thursday, ending a week‑long search that had drawn the attention of state leaders and the media.
The incident happened on the night of 16 October, when Soni was crossing the under‑construction Bajrang Setu Bridge, a glass‑floored structure near Laxman Jhula. He was talking on his phone when he slipped and went into the fast‑moving waters.
Because the bridge had no guard rails, warning signs or security guards, it became a dangerous place for pedestrians.
Soni had left his hometown Prithvipur on 14 October with his friend Akshat (also spelled Akshay) Seth and traveled to Delhi, where his cousin Amit Soni joined them. The three men stayed overnight in Haridwar before arriving in Rishikesh on 16 October.
After the fall, Amit reported a splash to the nearest police station, but officers reached the site 20 minutes later. Night conditions, strong currents and cold water made a boat search impossible.
Police then called the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). On 17 October, divers and drones scoured up to eight kilometres of the river but found nothing. The family grew restless and Soni’s uncle Bharat Soni asked police to bring in helicopters and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
The case attracted high‑level attention. Madhya P
radesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav called Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on 19 October and urged faster rescue work. The chief minister later posted on social media about the incident.
Finally, on 23 October at about 10 a.m., authorities recovered Soni’s body from the dam downstream of Rishikesh. The body went to a morgue for a post‑mortem, but investigators suspect drowning was the cause of death.
Chief Minister Yadav expressed deep sadness and offered prayers for the family. He said, “The news of Engineering Hemant Soni’s death is very sad. In this hour of crisis, the government stands with the bereaved families.”
The tragedy raises new questions about safety at construction sites near busy tourist spots. Local officials say the unfinished bridge was the main factor in the accident, and many people now call for stricter safety protocols for workers and pedestrians alike.
Soni was remembered by his family as a devoted professional and a strong family pillar. He died just as Diwali celebrations were beginning. The loss has touched a wide community and prompted calls for better safety at bridges and rivers across the country.
Source: ianslive
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