UP health official drowns in Ganga as diver awaits online transfer of money

State disaster response force (SDRF), flood unit, local police and private divers are conducting search operations.

A delay in online transfer of money to a diver allegedly cost a senior Uttar Pradesh health department official his life, according to reports.

Aditya Vardhan Singh, 45, who was swept away by the strong current while taking bath in the Ganga at Nanamau ghat in Bilhaur, Unnao on Saturday. According to the police, the incident took place when the joint director in the UP health department moved towards deep waters to get clicked by his friends. Singh, a resident of Indiranagar in Lucknow, was posted in Varanasi.

State disaster response force (SDRF), flood unit, local police and private divers are conducting search operations. According to reports, Singh’s friends requested a diver, who was present at the ghat, to rescue him. However, the diver demanded Rs 10,000 and said that he would jump into the river only after the amount was paid. By the time the money was transferred, Aditya had already been swept away.

DCP (West) Rajesh Kumar Singh told Times of India, Preliminary investigation revealed that Aditya wanted to be photographed by his friends while offering arghya to the sun god. He crossed the warning mark. He knew how to swim, but apparently got trapped in a strong current.”

DCP Singh also said that the divers claimed that they had only requested money for fuel for their steamer. "If there is any truth in the allegations, we will take legal action against the divers," he told TOI.

Recently three people drowned when a girl fell into the Ganga while taking a selfie while standing on a jetty and two of her companions jumped into the river trying to save her.