What was supposed to be a joyous family gathering turned into a nightmare in the Haldi De’para area of East Burdwan. 58-year-old Sarjit Dalal, a resident of Jagadabad village, mysteriously vanished after attending his grand-niece’s rice ceremony (Annaprashan) on Monday night.

According to family members, concern grew when Sarjit failed to return home. During a frantic search, his motorbike and shoes were discovered near the edge of a local pond. While the family initially feared he might have accidentally slipped into the water, his nephew, Aditya Dalal, has not ruled out the possibility of foul play, suggesting he might have been pushed.

The Dewandighi Police reached the spot late Monday night and initiated a search operation. On Tuesday morning, nets were cast into the pond, but to no avail. Civil Defense personnel and divers have since been deployed to carry out an intensive underwater search. The local community remains in shock as authorities continue to investigate whether this was a tragic accident or something more sinister.