Body of IIT-Roorkee MBA Student Recovered from Ganga Canal After Six-Day Search Operation
The body of a 30-year-old IIT-Roorkee student, who was swept away in the fast-flowing Ganga canal six days ago, was finally recovered on Tuesday near Mohammadpur Jhal area of Manglaur, located approximately 17 kilometers downstream in Haridwar district, according to police officials.
Tragic Incident at Valmiki Ghat
The victim, identified as Ashish Shukla, was a second-year MBA student at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. A resident of Gokulnagar in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi district, Shukla had visited Valmiki Ghat near the Roorkee Municipal Corporation office with friends on the evening of February 11.
Police reports indicate that around 7 PM, Shukla lost his balance while getting up from the steps of the ghat and fell into the deep canal. His friends immediately attempted a rescue by tying their clothes together to form a makeshift rope, but their efforts proved unsuccessful as Shukla was unable to grab the improvised lifeline and was swiftly carried away by the strong current.
Multi-Agency Search Operation Launched
Following the incident, a Jal Police unit and local divers initiated a search operation the same night but failed to locate the missing student. The next day, authorities regulated canal water from Haridwar to facilitate the search efforts.
The operation expanded significantly with the involvement of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and personnel from the Army's Bengal Engineer Group (BEG), who joined forces with Jal Police in the extensive search mission. Despite their combined efforts, Shukla remained untraceable for several days.
Massive Joint Operation with Advanced Technology
After five days of unsuccessful searching, authorities escalated the operation by involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). On Monday, a massive joint operation was launched with a team of approximately 100 personnel from multiple agencies.
The search team conducted an intensive five-hour operation covering a 17-kilometer stretch of the canal, utilizing advanced technology including:
- Sonar equipment for underwater detection
- Underwater drones for comprehensive scanning
- Coordinated search patterns along the canal banks
Body Recovery and Official Statement
The search resumed on Tuesday morning, and officials finally spotted Shukla's body in the designated area. SP (Rural) SC Suyal confirmed, "We conducted the post-mortem examination and have handed over the body to the grieving family members."
The recovery marked the tragic conclusion to a six-day search operation that involved multiple government agencies and utilized both traditional search methods and modern technological resources in an effort to locate the missing student.
