Bhopal youth drowns in Thailand under suspicion:Sister says, ‘He knew swimming’; colleague sought mobile password, father urges govt for thorough investigation

A 28-year-old man from Bhopal, Ankit Sahu, died after allegedly drowning in the sea in Thailand. He was employed with BL Life Science, a medical company, and had travelled with colleagues on a company-sponsored trip on October 23. On October 27, one of his colleagues called the family, informing them that Ankit had drowned after water entered his lungs. Later, the same caller confirmed his death. The sudden incident has left the family devastated and suspicious, believing there might be a conspiracy behind Ankit’s death. “My brother knew swimming,” says sister Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, Ankit’s sister Ayushi expressed doubts over the explanation given by his colleagues. “My brother knew how to swim. The water was said to be only knee-deep. Then how could he drown?” She also revealed that one of Ankit’s colleagues asked his wife for his mobile phone password, raising further suspicion. “Why did they need his phone’s password? They already had her number. They even made her draw a video of the unlock pattern,” Ayushi said. Father demands thorough investigation Ankit’s father, still in shock, demanded a proper inquiry into the incident. “I raised him with great effort. Now who will take care of his daughter and the family?” he said tearfully. He added that one of Ankit’s colleagues, Nikesh, had not contacted the family since the day of the incident. Family insisted on autopsy before bringing body home Ayushi said the company initially told them that there was no need for a postmortem and that the body could be sent back directly. However, the family consulted a relative who is a doctor and insisted on an autopsy. “They tried to convince us not to get a postmortem done. We refused. That’s why it took some time,” she said. The family was informed that Ankit’s body will reach Bhopal on Sunday after completion of formalities in Thailand. Details raise unanswered questions The incident took place near a beach opposite the Radisson Hotel in Thailand, where the group had gone shortly before their scheduled flight back home. Ayushi added that there were two families and two bachelors on the trip — Ankit and Nikesh being the unmarried ones. “The water was only knee-deep, and my brother was six feet tall. He knew swimming. How could he drown?” she questioned. When Bhaskar contacted Nikesh via WhatsApp for his version, he said he would return the call from his permanent number, but did not respond again. Family pleads for government support Ayushi said their entire family — including Ankit’s wife, young daughter, parents, and relatives — depended on him financially. “We want full support from the government. Our family is shattered,” she said ​