In a chilling incident that has stirred widespread concern and disbelief throughout Nanded, a man is alleged to have drowned his wife and two minor girls in a river, under the guise of hosting a party. What makes this act particularly heinous is the fact that he was aware that the girls could not swim. The exact motive behind this appalling act remains shrouded in mystery, triggering an uproar across the entire district.

In the quiet locality of Maregaon, three young lives were tragically cut short after drowning in a drain adjacent to the Panganga river. The incident, which unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Monday afternoon, has left the community in shock and mourning.

The victims have been identified as Mamata Sheikh Javed, Payal Devidas Kamble, and Swati Devidas Kamble. Mamata, along with Payal and Swati, reportedly drowned in a distressing scenario that has raised many questions about the circumstances leading up to their deaths.

The police have taken swift action in the wake of this tragedy, arresting two individuals implicated in the incident. Javed Sheikh, the husband of the late Mamata, is among those arrested. This action by the police suggests a deepening intrigue and complexity surrounding the incident, as they work to unravel the sequence of events that led to such a disastrous outcome.

This tragic incident did not just occur in isolation but in the backdrop of a community gathering, turning what was meant to be a festive occasion into a somber one. As investigations continue, the local community and the broader district eagerly await answers, hoping for justice for the deceased and a full understanding of the cruel circumstances that led to their untimely demise.

What Exactly Happened at Panganga River?

A family outing turned tragic at the Panganga River in Maregaon Lahan, Kinwat taluka, casting a somber shadow over what was intended to be a joyful gathering. Devidas Kamble and his relatives had assembled for a mutton party, a common social event where families and friends come together to enjoy a meal. After enjoying their dinner by the riverbank, a series of unfortunate events unfolded that led to a heart-wrenching tragedy.

Sheikh Javed, Mithun Bihari, Mamta Sheikh Javed, Payal Kamble, Swati Kamble, and a few others decided to take a bath in the river following their meal. The atmosphere was light-hearted, with the group engaging in playful splashing, an activity that quickly turned perilous. Tragically, one of the girls began to struggle in the water, initiating a chain reaction of events. As she started drowning, the other two girls, in an attempt to rescue her, also found themselves overpowered by the water. This led to the drowning of both Payal Kamble and Swati Kamble, sisters who tried to save their companion, while Mamta Sheikh Javed, a relative, was also caught in this fatal sequence.

The local community of Maregaon has been left reeling by the deaths of two sisters and a young woman in such close proximity. In response to this tragedy, the Kinwat police took immediate action to investigate the circumstances surrounding the drownings. By Tuesday, authorities had arrested two young men believed to be connected to the incident. These individuals face serious charges, with a case of atrocity registered under various sections against them, reflecting the gravity of their alleged actions.

The victims, identified as Mamta Sheikh Javed aged 21, Payal Devidas Kamble aged 16, and her sister Swati Devidas Kamble, have left a community in mourning.

In the immediate aftermath of the tragic drowning incident at Panganga River, Maregaon, local police swiftly intervened. Upon receiving reports of the accident, law enforcement officials, aided by lifeguards, rushed to the scene. Their prompt response enabled them to recover the three bodies from the water. The bodies were subsequently sent for autopsy to determine the exact causes of death, marking a somber moment for the community and the grieving families.

The tragic loss of life has cast a profound shadow over the families of the victims. A mountain of grief has befallen the relatives of Mamta Sheikh Javed, Payal Devidas Kamble, and Swati Devidas Kamble, as they struggle to cope with the devastating impact of the event.

Further details have emerged regarding the familial dynamics and events leading up to the fateful day, shedding light on the complex personal relationships involved. According to a complaint filed at Kinwat Police Station by Laxmi Devidas Kamble, aged 40, from Maregaon Khalche, Kinwat Taluka, a tangled web of family connections and marital challenges preceded the incident. Laxmi reported that her brother-in-law's daughter, Mamta, had been married to Javed Sheikh, a Muslim from Saifal, Mahur Taluka, for two and a half years. Complications in Mamta's marriage had led her to live with her mother in Maregaon Khalche for the past one and a half months, indicating a period of marital discord.

The narrative provided by Laxmi details the events of May 26th and 27th. On Sunday, May 26th, around 1 to 1:30 PM, Javed Sheikh visited Maregaon Khalche. The following morning, he proposed a river outing. Despite reservations about the safety of the children near the water, Javed and Mamta were insistent on proceeding with the plan. Laxmi, under reluctance, consented to let her daughters accompany them. Along with the necessary party supplies, Javed took Mamta and the two girls to the river. Later, Laxmi’s sister-in-law Rekha and her husband Mithun also joined the group at the river, where Mamta prepared biryani for everyone.

Around 2 PM, a deeply troubling event unfolded at the Painganga River. Javed Sheikh and Mithun Kunwar took Payal and Swati Kamble, along with Mamta Sheikh Javed, to the river for what was meant to be a leisurely playtime. Despite clear warnings about the children's inability to swim, Javed and Mithun recklessly led the group into deeper waters.

Tragically, as the children began to struggle in the water, their desperate screams for help were met with chilling indifference. Javed and Mithun, instead of attempting to rescue Payal, Swati, and Mamta, chose to flee the scene in a cowardly act. Mithun managed to escape on a motorcycle, while Javed was captured while trying to flee. This catastrophic negligence resulted in the drowning of Mamta Sheikh Javed, Javed's wife; Swati Devidas Kamble, a 9th-grade student; and Puja Devidas Kamble, a 10th-grade student.

This incident, described as "inhumanly planned" and suspected to be an intentional act, has ignited widespread outrage across the district. In response to the tragedy, Laxmi Devidas Kamble, from Maregaon, filed a complaint leading to significant legal action. On May 28th, Kinwat police registered a case under FIR No. 137/2024, citing sections 304 and 34 of the IPC, alongside section 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Although Javed Sheikh Ibrahim and Mithun Kunwar Bhoomihar have been taken into custody by the Kinwat police, the reasons behind their actions are still not understood, leading to widespread speculation and uncertainty.

Progression in Investigation Leads to Arrests in Kinwat Drowning Case

Initially, the Kinwat police had registered the tragic incident at Painganga River as an accidental death. However, the situation evolved rapidly with the involvement of higher authorities. Under the guidance of District Superintendent of Police, Srikrishna Kokate, and the efforts of Additional Superintendent of Police Dr. DySP Ramakrishna Malaghane, along with Khanderao Dharne, a more in-depth interrogation of the accused, Javed Sheikh, was conducted.

Following the detailed questioning and based on the complaint lodged by Lakshmi Devidas Kamble concerning the deaths, a significant development occurred. The police arrested Javed Sheikh, husband of the deceased Mamata Sheikh Javed from Saiphal District Mahur, and Mithun Kuwar Sadanand Kuwar. Legal actions have been escalated against them, with charges now registered under Sections 304 and 34, combined with 3(2)(V)(A) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The investigation is currently ongoing, and DySP Ramakrishna Malghane is meticulously conducting further inquiries into the matter. This step signifies a rigorous approach by the police to uncover all aspects of this case, aiming to ensure comprehensive justice for the victims.