A 35-year-old man has died after allegedly being handed a homemade bomb disguised as a traditional Indian sweet by his neighbour in Madhya Pradesh, India. The device exploded as he bit into it, killing him in a shocking incident that has prompted a police investigation.
The victim, identified as Rajendra Barotiya, died following the explosion in Padariya village, under the jurisdiction of Kotwali police station in Dindori district. The incident reportedly took place late on the night of 10 November.
According to initial reports, Rajendra was sitting at home when a man identified as Ram Bhagat Barotiya arrived. During their conversation, Ram Bhagat allegedly handed him an object, describing it as a rasgulla, a popular Indian sweet made from soft cheese balls soaked in sugar syrup.
Believing it to be an ordinary sweet, Rajendra put the object in his mouth and bit into it. However, the object was reportedly a homemade explosive device. It detonated with a loud bang moments after he bit into it, leaving him fatally injured.
Rajendra’s wife, Sushila Bai, said the object was actually a bomb used for hunting animals. The family was unaware of its dangerous nature until it exploded.
The explosion alerted family members and nearby residents, who rushed to the scene after hearing the loud noise. Rajendra was subsequently taken to hospital in an auto-rickshaw. However, his injuries proved fatal, and he could not be saved.
Police arrived at the scene after receiving information about the incident and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
Kotwali police station officer-in-charge Durga Prasad Nagpure said two people, including Ram Bhagat, had been detained in connection with the incident. He indicated that the darkness at the time may have prevented Rajendra from recognising the object as an explosive rather than a sweet.
According to the police officer, the device exploded immediately after Rajendra bit into it. The circumstances in which it was handed to him are now a key part of the investigation.
During questioning, Ram Bhagat reportedly told investigators that a teenage boy had given him the bomb. Police have also detained the teenager and are questioning him to establish how the explosive was obtained and why it was handed over.
Investigators are examining several aspects of the case, including the origin of the device, the involvement of other individuals and the events leading up to the explosion. Police are also looking into whether there had been any personal dispute, hostility or longstanding conflict between the accused and Rajendra’s family.
One of the central questions is whether the incident was an act of deliberate violence or whether the explosive was passed on without a clear understanding of its contents and potential consequences. The statements of those detained, along with other available evidence, are expected to help investigators establish what happened.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the handling and circulation of homemade explosive devices, particularly those reportedly used for hunting. Such devices can cause severe injuries or death, even when their intended purpose is not to harm people.
For Rajendra’s family, what began as an apparently ordinary encounter with a neighbour ended in an unexpected tragedy. Police have said their investigation is continuing, and the precise motive behind the incident has yet to be established.
