Nagpur: A 27-year-old man was critically injured after he allegedly attempted to leap into the funeral pyre of his deceased lover at Shanti Ghat on the Kanhan River on Monday, May 9, afternoon. The youth, Anurag Rajendra Meshram, a resident of Hanuman Nagar in Kanhan (Parseoni tehsil), was allegedly beaten by locals and is now admitted to a private hospital in Kamptee ICU.

According to New Kamptee Police, the deceased, Anshika Nitin Khobragade (19), was in a relationship with Anurag. On June 8, Sunday evening, Anshika allegedly died by suicide at her residence by hanging herself from a ceiling fan. Her younger sister discovered her and informed the parents, who rushed her to a private hospital in Kamptee, where she was declared dead. A case was registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Kanhan Police Station.

Her postmortem was conducted at the Sub-District Hospital, and the body was handed over to the family on Monday afternoon. Around 4 pm, during her last rites at the Kanhan riverbed, Anurag reportedly arrived in an intoxicated state and attempted to jump into the burning pyre. Locals stopped him and allegedly assaulted him, leaving him seriously injured.

Anurag’s father and brother arrived at the scene with police and shifted him to a hospital. Assistant Commissioner of Police Vishal Shirsagar and Senior Inspector Mahesh Andhale visited the hospital and cremation site.

Anurag’s family has alleged that he was beaten by Anshika’s relatives and has demanded action. Police stated that further investigation will be initiated once Anurag regains consciousness and his statement is recorded.