A 17-year-old laborer who “fell” down a 140-foot borehole in a village in Gujarat’s Bhuj taluka could not be saved despite an eight-hour rescue operation that ended early Sunday (Dec 07, 2025), police said, adding that he was declared brought dead at a hospital.
The police suspect that it could be a suicide caused by an argument between the victim and his father over an expensive mobile phone.
The victim, Rustom Sheikh, originally from Jharkhand, reportedly fell into a 1.5-feet-wide borehole at a farm in Kukma village on Saturday (December 6, 2025) evening.
Deputy Superintendent of Police MJ Christian said police received information about the incident at 6.30pm on Saturday (December 6, 2025) and launched a rescue operation with well operators and other agencies.
“When the police reached the spot, the victim was screaming from inside the borehole. Oxygen supply was provided immediately,” the DySP said, adding that Sheikh was pulled out after nearly eight hours of effort on Sunday (December 7, 2025) at around 3:00 am.
“He was taken to GK General Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead,” police said.
Mr Christian said initial investigations suggested Sheikh jumped into the borehole after an argument with his father over the loan of an expensive mobile phone.
He allegedly threw the phone away after a heated exchange and jumped into the well, he added.
“We have registered a case of accidental death, though it appears to be a suicide at first sight. The borehole is 2.5 feet above the ground and was covered with a stone. The victim is said to have removed the stone and jumped. A detailed investigation is underway,” Mr Christian added.
Sheik’s brother Mikhail (16) worked with him on the same farm. He took the body to Jharkhand after post-mortem.
Published – 07 Dec 2025 20:28 IST
