17-Year-Old Pune Boy Found Dead in River, Police Probe Chilling Sequence

Pune, 1st October 2026: Bund Garden police have registered a case against six people, including a couple, for allegedly assaulting and chasing a 17-year-old boy after suspecting that he was speaking to the wife of one of the accused. Four accused have been arrested, while two others have been booked in connection with the incident.

Those arrested have been identified as Swati Reddy, Akash Reddy, Gaurav Shinde and Ashish Chabukswar. Police have also registered a case against Anand Reddy and Suraj alias Charya More, who are yet to be arrested.

Meanwhile, police are investigating whether the boy died after accidentally falling into the river while allegedly being chased or whether he was assaulted before falling into the river.

The deceased has been identified as Shivkumar Babu Vakharani, 17 years and seven months old, a resident of Tadiwala Road. He went missing from his home at around 10 pm on Saturday (September 26). His mother subsequently approached Bund Garden police, alleging that an unidentified person had lured her son away and abducted him. Police registered a case and launched a search.

On Tuesday (September 29), at around 8.30 am, the body of a boy was found in the riverbed within the limits of Chandannagar police station. The body was later identified as that of Shivkumar.

According to the preliminary investigation, Akash Reddy suspected that Shivkumar was speaking to his wife, Swati. Police said Akash allegedly took Shivkumar on a two-wheeler to the Burning Ghat area near the Bund Garden barrage on Saturday night. Swati was also present.

The other accused allegedly joined them later. During the confrontation, Akash allegedly slapped Shivkumar, following which the teenager became frightened and started running away. The accused allegedly chased him.

Police are now investigating the circumstances in which Shivkumar entered the river. They are examining whether he fell into the river while trying to escape or whether he was subjected to further assault before falling into the river.

Further investigation is underway.