Crocodile drags man into river during mother-in-law’s funeral

 

By Sumesh Rajan | May 21, 2026

Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: A 30-year-old man from Greater Noida was allegedly dragged into the Saryu River by a crocodile while attending his mother-in-law’s funeral in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district on Wednesday May 20. The victim, identified as Deepak Sharma, remains missing despite an extensive search operation by local authorities and rescue teams.

According to officials, Sharma had travelled to Umri village in the Umri Begumganj police station area after the death of his mother-in-law, Urmila Devi, who reportedly succumbed to cancer on Tuesday May 19.

On Wednesday afternoon, family members gathered at the Saryu riverbank near Sanauli Mohammadpur Udaybhan Pahi village to perform the last rites. Witnesses said Sharma was helping prepare the funeral pyre by digging a pit and fixing wooden stakes near the riverbank.

After completing the work, Sharma reportedly went to the edge of the river to wash his hands when the attack occurred.

Eyewitnesses said a crocodile suddenly emerged from the water, clamped its jaws around Sharma’s head and dragged him underwater within seconds, triggering panic among mourners gathered at the site.

Local resident Rajesh Shukla said people present at the ghat had warned Sharma about crocodiles frequently being spotted in the river, but he ignored the caution and approached the water.

Another eyewitness, Aman, said Sharma had bent down near the river to wash his hands when the reptile attacked. “Before anyone could react, the crocodile dragged him into the river,” he said.

One of the mourners reportedly attempted to rescue Sharma but fell into the water during the struggle.

Following the incident, villagers, local boatmen and police personnel launched a search operation along the river stretch. Officials from the revenue department and local administration also reached the spot. However, no trace of Sharma had been found till late evening.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been called from Lucknow to intensify the search and recovery efforts.

Deepak Sharma lived near Pari Chowk in Greater Noida and worked for a private company. He is survived by his wife Rekha and their four-year-old daughter, Nikki.

Speaking to reporters, Sharma’s grandfather-in-law Babulal Verma said the family was devastated by the tragedy. “We had already lost our daughter-in-law. Now my son-in-law has also been taken away. Nobody could save him because everyone was terrified,” he said.

District Disaster Management officials stated that if Sharma’s body is recovered, financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh will be provided to the family after post-mortem formalities. Authorities added that if the body is not recovered, a proposal would be sent to the state government seeking further directions regarding compensation.

The incident has once again raised concerns among local residents over crocodile movement in the Saryu River, especially near riverbanks frequently used for bathing and funeral rituals.