Four young men were killed and three others injured when they were electrocuted while sleeping in a Ganpati pandal in Hirapur village, Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh, police said on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. after the group had returned from the immersion of the Ganesh idol and set up a tent on a small temple site.
According to the superintendent of police, Rajesh Raghuvanshi, the shock was caused by a short circuit in a music amplifier that was used at the pandal. The amplifier’s live wire touched a metal grill on the temple, sending electric current through the tent. Raghuvanshi noted that a power cut at about 3 a.m. had preceded the incident and that a technical team from the power department had confirmed the amplifier as the source of the short circuit. Earlier reports had suggested that a live wire from an electric pole had fallen on the tent.
The police are awaiting the final inquiry report from the power department before deciding on any legal action. Sub‑divisional police officer Nainpur, Manish Raj, identified the deceased as Ravi Jharia, 23, Jainu Bhanwre, 19, Krishna Kumar Bhanwre, 18, and Virendra Bhanwre, 24. Two of the injured are being treated at the government hospital in Nainpur and are stable, while a third has been referred to the district hospital in Mandla.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced financial assistance of four lakh rupees for the families of each deceased victim. He posted his condolences on X and instructed district authorities to provide the aid promptly.
