A 35-year-old man died in Madhya Pradesh’s Dindori district after a crude explosive, allegedly used for hunting wild boars and disguised as a rasgulla, exploded inside his mouth.
Police said the incident occurred during Diwali celebrations on Tuesday night. The victim, identified as Rajendra Barautiya, was sitting around a bonfire with some people in Chhanta village at around 8 PM when the incident took place.
According to police, his friend, Ram Bhagat Barotiya, allegedly placed the explosive, disguised as a rasgulla, inside Rajendra’s mouth while the two were engaged in conversation and joking.
As Rajendra bit into the object, it exploded, causing severe injuries. He was immediately rushed to Dindori District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Following a post-mortem examination, his body was handed over to his family members.
Dindori Kotwali police station in-charge Nagpure said the incident is being investigated to establish the circumstances in which the explosive was placed in the victim’s mouth. Such crude explosive devices are reportedly used by some rural and tribal communities in the region to hunt wild boars. These devices are prepared by filling dough balls with gunpowder, which is often obtained from firecrackers or sourced from quarries.
The explosives are used as traps to kill wild animals. Police officer Rekha Singh said that investigators have yet to determine whether the explosive was given to Rajendra as a prank or with the intention of causing him harm. The motive behind the act remains under investigation.
Police have registered a case against Ram Bhagat Barotiya under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosives Act. He has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.