Tragic Discovery in Narmada Canal
In a heartbreaking incident that has shocked the community, the bodies of a 29-year-old businessman and his two minor daughters were recovered from the Narmada Canal in Shirsa village of Gandhinagar on Saturday. The victims have been identified as Dheeraj Bhala Desai and his daughters 4-year-old Jiyana and 10-month-old Jasvi.
Timeline of the Tragedy
The tragic sequence of events began on Friday morning around 11 AM when Dheeraj Desai left his residence in Kalol taluka with his two young daughters. He had informed family members that he was taking the children for Aadhaar card registration, according to police statements.
The family's concerns grew when Dheeraj failed to return home. The situation took a grim turn when Dheeraj had sent a message to his uncle Jayesh on Friday, revealing the password to his mobile phone and disclosing its location near the Shirsa-Palsana canal.
Acting on this information, family members including his uncle Manojkumar Saiji Desai rushed to the specified location. There they made the disturbing discovery of Dheeraj's Kia car parked on the bridge over the canal. Inside the vehicle, they found his mobile phone and wallet, but there was no sign of Dheeraj or his daughters.
Search Operation and Recovery
The family immediately alerted the authorities, prompting the Santej police to launch an intensive search operation. The police sought assistance from the Gandhinagar Fire and Emergency Services (GFES) to comb the canal area.
Rajesh Patel of GFES confirmed that the search operation culminated on Saturday with the recovery of all three bodies from the canal waters. The operation involved multiple teams working through the challenging conditions of the water body.
Inspector F R Muchhad provided details about the ongoing investigation, stating, "We are yet to determine the cause of this incident. We are investigating in all directions and will take statements of the family's members after a few days."
The police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause and timing of death. Initial investigations point toward a possible murder-suicide case, though authorities emphasize that all possibilities are being explored.
Background of the Deceased
Dheeraj Desai, described as a successful businessman, owned three petrol pumps in the region. The family originally hails from Borisana village, and the incident has left the local community in profound shock.
The tragedy has raised numerous questions as investigators work to piece together the events leading to this devastating outcome. Police are examining Dheeraj's financial situation, family relationships, and mental state prior to the incident.
Local authorities have assured a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic case that has claimed three innocent lives, including those of two very young children.
