Udupi: Drowning of Youth – Family Suspects Foul Play
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jun 10: Roshan (20), son of Elizabeth from Shirva, who is presently settled in Dubai, had drowned in River Swarna at Herga near Parkala in the taluk on Wednesday June 8 afternoon. Roshan, working as a driver, used to stay in the home of his uncle at Mission Compound here. A few of his friends were with him when the incident occurred.
The family members of Roshan and several locals now suspect foul play in the incident, as Roshan was an expert swimmer, who could easily brave huge waves of the sea and forceful flow of rivers. He had also saved several lives. The eyewitness accounts about the incident also differ, fuelling their suspicion further.
The fact that there was no water in the stomach of the youth gives a clue that he did not drown. While Roshan’s mother arrived from abroad on Thursday morning, his body was recovered after a prolonged search, on Thursday evening. The body bore marks of injuries to his face and hands. Post mortem was conducted at KMC Hospital Manipal, and report is awaited.
The family pointed out that some of the friends of Roshan, who were with him at the time of the tragedy, had stated that he had drowned while taking bath and washing his clothes. One of them said he was washed away because of strong undercurrent as he went farther from the bank. Another reportedly stated that he approached the river to wash the slush splashed on his clothes by a passing bus. However, the place where his clothes got soiled, and the point where he entered the river are located six kms apart. Moreover, the point where he approached the river is not deep, nor is there any strong draught, his relatives argue.
The policemen have subjected Roshan’s friends, Sharat, Vikram Kulal, Mahesh, Krishmamurty and Girish Pai from Parkala, who are the eyewitnesses in the case, to questioning. The family hinges its hope of finding out truth behind the tragedy on the post mortem report and the outcome of police investigation.