A tragic incident unfolded in Ghaziabad on Saturday, May 17, 2025, when a traffic police constable lost his life while attempting to rescue a woman from the Hindon Canal. The constable, identified as Ankit Tomar, was on duty near the canal in Vaishali when the incident occurred.
According to reports, the woman, identified as Aarti, a 23-year-old resident of Vaishali Sector 2, allegedly jumped into the canal following a domestic dispute with her husband. Constable Tomar, along with Traffic Sub-Inspector (TSI) Dharmendra, immediately responded to the situation, jumping into the canal in an attempt to save her.
While Aarti was successfully pulled to safety, both Tomar and TSI Dharmendra encountered difficulties in the muddy canal bed. TSI Dharmendra managed to extract himself, but Constable Tomar became trapped. Despite efforts to rescue him, including the deployment of divers, Tomar was eventually pulled from the canal and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Trans Hindon) Nimish Patil confirmed the incident, stating that the police force would hold a funeral with state honors for Tomar. According to the Station House Officer, Kaushambi, Ajay Kumar Sharma, Tomar was inducted into the police force in 2016.
Eyewitness accounts further detail the harrowing scene. Krishan Kumar, a passerby, stated that he saw Tomar jump into the canal, with his shoes on, while a woman was screaming. He managed to pull her up, but soon after, he began to struggle and screamed for help as he started to drown. Kumar said another police officer jumped in to help, but it was too late.
The woman who allegedly attempted suicide reportedly told police that she was distraught because her mother-in-law kept accusing her of being a thief after a theft occurred in her house recently. She then decided to end her life.
This incident highlights the risks and sacrifices that law enforcement officers often make in the line of duty. Constable Ankit Tomar's heroic actions to save a life, ultimately cost him his own. His bravery and selflessness have been widely praised. The police department is providing support to Tomar's family during this difficult time.
