Drowning case takes dramatic turn as teen reappears alive

 

By Sumesh Rajan | December 9, 2025

Ferozepur, Punjab, INDIA: A sensational twist has emerged in a case that shook Punjab two months ago. A 17-year-old girl, believed to have been killed after being thrown into a canal by her father, has resurfaced alive — dramatically altering the course of the investigation.

On Sunday December 7, the girl, identified as Preet, appeared before local media, recounting in detail how she survived the alleged murder attempt on September 29 and pleading emotionally for the release of her father, Surjit Singh, who has been lodged in jail on murder charges.

The Alleged Murder Attempt

According to the original FIR, Surjit Singh suspected Preet’s character and, in a fit of rage, tied her hands and pushed her into a canal in the presence of his wife and three younger daughters. A disturbing video — recorded by Singh himself — captured him ordering her to “go die” (“chal mar”) as he ignored his wife's cries to stop.

Despite extensive searches involving divers, no body was found, and investigators assumed she had drowned. Her cousin subsequently filed a complaint, leading to Surjit’s arrest under murder charges.

The Girl’s Testimony

Reappearing after more than two months, Preet told the media that the force of the canal’s current loosened the cloth tied around her hands. As she drifted downstream, her head struck an iron bar along the water channel — something she managed to cling to before pulling herself out.

She said three passers-by rescued her and helped her find refuge at a nearby gurdwara. However, she refused to reveal where she lived during the intervening months, saying merely that she survived “by God’s grace.”

A Plea for Her Father

In an emotional appeal, Preet urged authorities to release her father, saying her younger sisters “have no one else” to care for them. She further alleged that her mother had instigated the attack, claiming her father was intoxicated at the time.

She has also requested police protection, expressing fear of certain relatives.

Fresh Investigation Ordered

Ferozepur DSP Sukhwinder Singh confirmed that the case will now be reopened from all possible angles. Police are preparing to record Preet’s official statement and will apply fresh charges depending on her testimony.

The unexpected return of the girl — initially thought to be dead — has upended the case, setting the stage for a complex and sensitive reinvestigation.