A tragic incident has come to light in the Dhule district of Maharashtra, where the bodies of a newly married couple were pulled from the Tapi River near Savalde in Shirpur taluka. The deceased were discovered with their legs bound tightly together with an iron chain and secured with a padlock. The discovery has caused widespread shock in the region and left both families devastated as local authorities step in to determine the circumstances behind the deaths.
Identity of the Deceased Couple
Police identified the deceased individuals as 28-year-old Shyam Hari Patil and his 20-year-old wife Sapna Patil. The couple originally hailed from Padalsare village, situated within the Amalner taluka of Jalgaon district. Recently, the two had been residing in Utran village under Erandol taluka. According to available details, the couple had entered into a love marriage, making the sudden loss even more baffling and painful for their relatives and acquaintances.
Chained Legs Point to Deliberate Suicide
Residents near Savalde village first spotted the two bodies floating in the waters of the Tapi River and immediately raised an alarm. During the preliminary inspection and spot inquest, investigating officers uncovered a harrowing detail. Before plunging into the river, the pair had wound an iron chain around their legs and fastened it with a lock, deliberately cutting off any possibility of swimming or escaping the strong river current once in the water.
Police Investigation and Medical Examination
Upon receiving the alert, personnel from the Nardana police station rushed to the riverbank. With active assistance from local villagers and the disaster management rescue team, both bodies were retrieved from the water and transferred to a government hospital for a comprehensive post-mortem examination. The Nardana police have registered the matter and are examining all potential angles, including domestic disputes, familial tensions, or other underlying pressures that might have pushed the couple to take this extreme step.
Demands for Safety Measures at Savalde Bridge
Following the tragedy, local residents voiced serious concerns regarding the rising frequency of jumping incidents at the Tapi River bridge in Savalde. Community members noted that the bridge is increasingly turning into a vulnerable suicide spot. They have urged the local administration to take immediate preventive steps, including installing high iron mesh fencing along the bridge barriers, setting up CCTV surveillance, and deploying security personnel to safeguard the structure.
