Gandhinagar, India (November 8, 2025) — Narmada canal tragedy: A heartbreaking incident has shocked the people of Gujarat after a well-known businessman, owner of three petrol pumps, allegedly ended his life by jumping into the Narmada Canal along with his two young daughters. The case has sent waves of grief through the Rabari community and across the state.
According to police reports, the deceased has been identified as Dhiraj Bhai Bhalabhai Rabari, a resident of Borisana village in the Kalol region of Gandhinagar district. Dhiraj Bhai reportedly left home on Thursday morning (November 7), telling his family that he was taking his two daughters to update their Aadhaar cards. However, the family became alarmed when they did not return home until late evening.
When repeated calls went unanswered, the worried family lodged a missing person’s complaint at the Santej Police Station, prompting authorities to begin an immediate search operation.
Bodies of the Daughters Found in Narmada Canal
Early Friday morning, police discovered the bodies of both daughters floating in the main Narmada Canal near Piyaj village, within the jurisdiction of Kalol Police Station. The discovery has left the Rabari community devastated. The body of Dhiraj Bhai, however, remains missing despite extensive search operations by police divers and the fire brigade.
Businessman Owned Multiple Petrol Pumps
Preliminary investigations revealed that Dhiraj Bhai belonged to a financially well-off family. He was the owner of three petrol pumps — one in Vadasar and two in other nearby locations. According to police officials, there were no immediate signs of financial distress, and the motive behind the drastic step remains unclear.
Inspector S.R. Muchhala from Santej Police Station confirmed that Dhiraj Bhai lived with his wife, parents, and two young daughters in Borisana village. “He left home saying he was taking his daughters to get their Aadhaar cards updated. Later, he sent his car’s location and mobile password to his family before going missing,” Muchhala said.
Car Found Abandoned Near Canal
Using the shared location data, police located Dhiraj Bhai’s car parked near the Sherisa section of the Narmada Canal. Rescue teams immediately launched a search operation in the water, assisted by professional divers and local fire brigade units. Unfortunately, despite several hours of efforts on Thursday night, the three could not be traced.
By Friday morning, locals spotted the two girls’ bodies drifting downstream, which were later recovered and sent for postmortem examination at the local civil hospital. The father’s body is still being searched for as of the latest reports.
Police Investigating the Cause
Authorities are now conducting a thorough investigation to determine what drove the businessman to take such a tragic step. Police are examining family, financial, and psychological factors, though no suicide note has been found yet.
Officials stated that the postmortem reports will help confirm the exact cause and time of death. Family members are being questioned to understand if there were any domestic or financial pressures that could have contributed to the incident.
Community in Mourning
The incident has plunged the Rabari community into mourning. Locals and relatives gathered near the canal and the family home in Borisana, expressing grief and disbelief. “He was known as a calm and generous person, always helping others. We can’t imagine what made him do this,” said a local resident.
Ongoing Search and Legal Procedure: Narmada canal tragedy
Santej Police have confirmed that search operations are still ongoing to locate Dhiraj Bhai’s body. Legal procedures, including inquest and postmortem formalities, are being completed for the deceased daughters. Authorities are also analyzing CCTV footage from nearby roads and canal areas to trace the family’s movements after they left home.
This tragic case — now being widely reported under the headline “3 Petrol pump owner commits suicide with 2 daughters in Narmada canal” — highlights the growing concerns around mental health and emotional stress in business families.
As the investigation continues, the state mourns the loss of two innocent children and a respected entrepreneur, leaving behind questions that may never be fully answered.
