Newlywed couple found dead in Tapi river at Shindkheda, feet bound with locked iron chain
Bodies of a 28-year-old man and his 20-year-old wife, married in May, were found in the Tapi at Nardana; police have registered an accidental death case.
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The bodies of a newlywed couple were found in the Tapi river at Nardana in Shindkheda taluka, in a shocking incident reported from Jalgaon district. Their feet were bound together with an iron chain, which was also fitted with a lock. The incident has caused a stir across the district.
The deceased have been identified as Shyam Hari Patil, 28, and his wife Sapna, 20. The two had married out of love in May this year.
On Thursday afternoon, local residents saw a body floating in the river water. On being informed, Sub-Inspector Sachin Kapadnis reached the spot with his team. The inspection showed that a thick shackle was tied to Shyam's left leg and Sapna's right leg. A large lock had been put on the chain. Police have sent both bodies to a hospital for post-mortem examination.
Shyam was originally from Padalsare village in Amalner taluka. A few years ago, his family had moved to Utran in Erandol taluka for work. There Shyam did farm work and ran a tractor to support the household.
He met Sapna in Utran, where she lived at her sister's house. Their acquaintance slowly turned into love, and they married in May this year. Their married life had only just begun. The couple is said to have left home three or four days ago. Their families assumed they had gone out somewhere, but on Thursday news of their deaths came instead.
The biggest question now is what actually happened. Did the two take this step themselves, or did someone kill them and throw them into the river? Binding the feet with a chain and locking it is not easy to explain.
Police have registered an accidental death entry in the case and begun an investigation. The actual cause of death will be known only after the post-mortem report arrives. Police are also questioning the families and relatives of both. They are also looking into whether anyone had opposed their love marriage and whether they were facing any trouble. The investigation is proceeding on all these lines.
The villages of Padalsare, Utran and Nardana are all in mourning over the incident. Everyone is stunned that a newly married couple has met such an end. Shyam is survived by his mother and a younger brother. The truth of the matter will emerge only after further investigation.
