‘I will be home soon’: 18-year-old’s last words haunt father

Ankit Kumar, an 18-year-old, left a haunting message for his father before he disappeared on August 7. The young man, who had recently begun a private job in Noida, tragically drowned while crossing a rainwater-filled drain in Southeast Delhi's Madanpur Khadar. His body was only found 24 hours later, near the Agra Canal. Sunil, Ankit's father, lives in a rented house in Ali village's Bhim Colony, where Sunil works in a pantry of a private firm.

The family pays Rs 5,000 a month in rent. Ankit had phoned his father around 7.30 pm, assuring him that he was close by and would soon arrive home. However, a neighbor informed Sunil that his son had tragically drowned in the drain. Police and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority conducted a 24-hour search for Ankit, with the search being restarted on Saturday due to protests from the community.

The drain, managed by the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control department, is open and features a cemented bridge for crossing. Ankit was crossing the bridge at the time of his drowning. The family remains in shock, questioning who is responsible for their son's death.