Rajendra Barautiya, a 35-year-old man in India, died on Tuesday after eating an improvised explosive device disguised as a traditional sweet.
The fatal incident occurred in the Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh while Barautiya was gathered near a bonfire with other villagers, detikNews reported using information from AFP. A villager brought the device, which resembled a rasgulla—a soft, round traditional Indian dessert soaked in sugar syrup—and another person handed it to Barautiya to eat.
The object detonated inside his mouth, causing severe injuries. Villagers rushed him to a hospital, but medical staff could not save his life.
Police arrested two men following the blast and charged them with causing death without premeditation. Investigators are still working to determine the intent behind the act.
“We don’t know whether the motive was to kill or whether it was just a prank. That is still under investigation,” Rekha Singh, a local police officer, told AFP, as noted by Kompas.com.
Boar hunting devices in rural communities
Rural communities in parts of India frequently manufacture homemade explosive devices to eliminate wild boars that damage crops. Villagers typically build these traps by packing gunpowder into dough balls, often sourcing the explosive powder from firecrackers or stone-quarrying sites.
“The bomb, which is normally used by some tribal communities in the area to kill wild boars, was instead given to this man. It exploded inside his mouth,” Singh told AFP.
The devices are crafted to mimic local sweets so animals will consume them entirely in one bite. In this instance, the trap ended up among civilians gathered around a village fire.
Authorities arrest two local men
Authorities have taken two local men into custody in connection with the explosion. Prosecutors have filed charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against both suspects.
Investigators have not yet established whether the suspects intended to harm Barautiya or if the item was passed to him as a careless prank. Police are questioning witnesses and conducting forensic examinations in Dindori district.
Frequently asked questions about the Dindori district explosion
What type of explosive caused the fatal injuries?
The device was an improvised explosive made from a dough ball packed with gunpowder sourced from firecrackers or quarries. Rural residents in the region commonly use these homemade traps to target wild boars.
What is a rasgulla?
A rasgulla is a popular traditional South Asian dessert made from ball-shaped dumplings of chhena and semolina dough, cooked in a light sugar syrup. The deadly device was shaped and colored to resemble this soft confection.
What charges do the arrested suspects face?
Local authorities detained two men and charged them with causing death without the intention of murder. Police said that the exact motive remains unconfirmed while the investigation continues.
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