Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A 24-year-old daily wager drowned at Hathaikheda Dam on Sunday evening, with his family alleging he was forced into the water by a friend after being made to consume cannabis.
The victim, Manoj Shamsheriya, a resident of Chalis Quarters in Piplani, worked with Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), police said on Monday.
According to Manoj’s elder brother Sameer, the friend identified as Ritik Shamsheriya, a known cannabis user from the same locality lured Manoj away from near a public toilet after visiting their home twice earlier in the day.
The family claims Ritik had a strained relationship with them, and Manoj had been repeatedly warned to avoid him.
Sameer said Ritik took Manoj to the dam on the pretext of fishing and later gave him cannabis before convincing him to enter the water.
Sameer, who says he witnessed the incident from a distance, stated that Manoj began struggling to breathe midway through the swim. Instead of helping, Ritik allegedly swam ahead and fled the spot.
By the time Sameer reached, Manoj had already drowned. His body was later recovered by BMC-employed divers. Manoj was the fifth of six siblings and shared financial responsibilities at home with Sameer. Their elderly father remains at home.
Police have registered a case of unnatural death and confirmed that all angles - including Ritik’s role - are under active investigation.
Ten deaths in last three months:
18 May 2025:
Halali Dam: Two youths Feroz Khan (23) and Shahzad Khan (33)
Upper lake: A businessman (51)
Kerwa Dam: ITI student Aman Vishwakarma
9 July 2025:
Kaliyasot Dam- Youth drowned
22 July 2025:
Shivam Mahajan (25) drowned in Bhadbhada
24 July 2025:
25-year-old man drowned while bathing in a pond in Kamla Nagar area
15 July 2025:
2 students drowned during picnic at Kolar Dam
25 July 2025:
Body of an unidentified youth found in Hathaikheda Dam.
