Couple drowns at Kalot village in Mandi

In a tragic incident at Kalot village of Mandi district, a husband and wife drowned in a well on Wednesday.

The victims, 45-year-old Sanjeev Kumar and 40-year-old Neelam Kumari were reported to have gone to fetch water from a 35-foot deep well early in the morning.

According to sources, Sanjeev lost his balance while filling water and fell into the well. As he did not return home, Neelam went to check on him and upon finding him submerged, attempted to rescue him but she also slipped and drowned.

Concerned for their safety, Sanjeev’s 75-year-old mother, Leela Devi, went to look for them and discovered that the couple had drowned. She raised an alarm, prompting villagers to attempt a rescue operation.

By the time they were retrieved from the well, both Sanjeev and Neelam had succumbed.

SP Sakshi Verma said they were investigating the case to ascertain the actual cause of the incident.

Sanjeev Kumar was a ward panchayat member and Neelam was an ASHA worker. They leave behind a son who is pursuing a degree in pharmacy and an elderly mother.