Mahabaleshwar: Booking Agent Jumps into 400-Foot-Deep Valley in Front of Tourists

A tragic incident occurred on Thursday afternoon at around 4:30 pm when a 52-year-old man, identified as Sanjay Velji Rughani, committed suicide by jumping into a gorge from the Elephant Head Point at Lodwick Point, about 5 km from Mahabaleshwar city. Rughani, originally from Shantinagar, Mira Road, Mumbai, and currently residing in Panchgani, was a booking agent by profession.

The body of Rughani was discovered approximately 400 feet below, in a deep gorge. It took six hours of tireless effort by a team of trekkers to recover his body. At the time of the incident, several tourists, including newlyweds and a foreign visitor, were present at the spot. According to witnesses, Rughani jumped into the gorge while assuming no one was around. The tourists, who witnessed the incident, immediately alerted local stall holders at Lodwick Point, who then informed the Mahabaleshwar police, the forest department, and both Mahabaleshwar and Sahyadri trekkers.

Rescue teams, including trekkers from Mahabaleshwar Trekkers led by former corporator Kumar Shinde and Amit Koli, descended into the gorge using ropes. After several hours of strenuous efforts, the body was finally pulled out and recovered.

Rughani had been working as a booking agent in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, frequently visiting various hotels and lodges in the area. Both of his mobile phones were recovered from the scene of the incident.

The recovery operation involved several individuals, including trekkers, local volunteers, and forest department personnel. The Mahabaleshwar Police have registered the case, and an investigation is ongoing under the supervision of Police Inspector Bapusaheb Sandbhor.