A man who could not stand the death of his close friend had died by suicide.
Anand Gaurav Rajput, a resident of adjoining Gadiya Panchwati village, jumped into his friend’s burning pyre at the funeral on the banks of the Yamuna on Saturday, Times of India reports.
The police said he suffered 90% burn and was pronounced dead on his way to the hospital in Agra.
ASP, Firozabad, Kumar Ranvijay Singh said on Sunday that Kumar Lodhi, 44, a resident of Naglar Khangar village in Firozabad district, “suffered from cancer and died on Saturday morning.
His last rite, cremation, was held with friends and families present, including his long-time close friend, Gaurav Rajput.
The ASP added: “When people started leaving the cremation site, Rajput, after crying ‘dost mein aata hoon’, suddenly jumped into the funeral pyre. By the time he could be pulled out, he had sustained serious injuries. He was rushed to district hospital and then referred to SN Medical College.”
The deceased brother, Kamal Singh, explained why Rajput’s brother made the decision, adding that “the two had been inseparable since childhood.”
Kamal Singh said, “Both went to the same school and both even got married on the same day. Lodhi was an expert drummer (dholak) while my brother used to accompany him with the cymbals (manjeera). They were often invited to play music at social events and were popular,.”
The duo’s friendship was well-known in the village. “They both used to spend hours singing in the fields and often used to have lunch together. Both were religious and courteous by nature,” said gram pradhan Gendalal Rajput.
“Lodhi was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. Rajput, the father of five daughters, contributed to his medical expenses… Lodhi had spent for his friend’s eldest daughter’s wedding,” the pradhan added.
Lodhi is survived by two sons, and they attend the same school as the friend who died of cancer.
SHO of Nagla Khangar, Mahesh Singh, said, “Primary investigation revealed that the man could not face the agony of being separated from his childhood friend and jumped into the pyre. It is a case of death by suicide. No complaint has been received in the matter.”
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