Drowning Scam: Man Fakes Death, Evades Debt, and is Apprehended in Delhi

A man in Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, sparked a search operation when his clothes and slippers were found near the Gangrel Dam, leading authorities to believe he had drowned. However, the missing man was later found in Delhi, revealing a calculated deception to escape financial woes. Police and dive teams spent 12 days searching before the truth emerged. Hemant Chandravanshi, a resident of Kawardha, along with friends, had stayed at a resort near the dam. On May 25, while his friends were away, Chandravanshi disappeared. His companions immediately informed the Rudri police. Initially, the police focused on the possibility of a drowning, deploying divers for an extensive search. When the search proved fruitless, police began to suspect foul play and investigated further. They tracked a second phone number belonging to Chandravanshi, which led them to Delhi, where he was eventually located. ASP Manishankar Chandra stated that Chandravanshi, burdened by debt, had devised the scheme. He left his belongings near the dam and fled, which is considered a serious offense. The police will be taking legal action.