3 children drown in Bihar canal after father allegedly throws them in West Champaran
Synopsis
A father allegedly pushed his wife and three young children — aged six years, four years, and five months — into a canal in Bihar's West Champaran after a domestic dispute. The mother survived; all three children drowned. The accused has fled and is being hunted by police, in a case that has shaken the local community and reignited concern over domestic violence in rural Bihar.
Key Takeaways
Three children — a six-year-old girl , a four-year-old boy , and a five-month-old infant girl — drowned in the Tirhut Canal in West Champaran, Bihar on 23 June .
Their mother, Lalita Devi , alleged that her husband, Rambabu Yadav , pushed her and the children into the canal following a domestic dispute.
The incident occurred near Bhangaha village , approximately 1.5 km from the family's home.
Lalita Devi survived despite being pushed in first; all three children were swept away by the current.
Bodies of all three children were recovered after a multi-hour search by teams from Kumarbagh and Chanpatia police stations.
Accused Rambabu Yadav fled the scene and remains at large; police raids are ongoing.
Three young children drowned in a canal in West Champaran district, Bihar, on Tuesday, 23 June, after their father allegedly threw them into the water following a domestic dispute. Their mother, Lalita Devi, survived after allegedly being pushed in first, managing to pull herself to safety despite the strong current.
What Allegedly Happened
According to Lalita Devi's statement to police, the incident began when she expressed her intention to visit her maternal home, triggering an argument with her husband, Rambabu Yadav. She alleged that Yadav had subjected her to prolonged harassment and physical assault prior to the incident.
Yadav allegedly led his wife and three children to an isolated spot near the Sugauli branch of the Tirhut Canal, approximately 1.5 km from their home in Bhangaha village under the Kumarbagh police station limits. Lalita alleged she was pushed into the canal first, after which Yadav threw the three children into the water.
The Children Who Died
The three victims were a six-year-old daughter, a four-year-old son, and a five-month-old infant girl. All three were swept away by the current before they could be rescued.
Police teams from Kumarbagh and Chanpatia police stations launched a search operation after being alerted. After several hours, the bodies of all three children were recovered from the canal and sent for post-mortem examination.
Accused Still at Large
According to police, Rambabu Yadav fled the site immediately after the incident. Search operations and raids are ongoing to apprehend him. The investigation is continuing, and further legal action will be taken based on Lalita Devi's statement and evidence collected at the scene.
Community Outrage and Broader Context
The deaths have triggered grief and anger among residents of Bhangaha village and the surrounding area. The incident has drawn renewed attention to the issue of domestic violence in rural Bihar, where family disputes can, in extreme cases, escalate into fatal violence against the most vulnerable. This comes amid broader national concern over crimes against women and children in domestic settings.
Police officials confirmed that all aspects of the case are being examined and that appropriate action will follow the completion of the investigation.
Point of View
And police responsiveness is frequently reactive rather than preventive. The five-month-old victim is a detail that demands more than a post-mortem report; it demands a reckoning with how protection mechanisms for at-risk families function at the village level. The accused's continued absence also raises questions about local intelligence and the speed of fugitive response in rural districts.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in West Champaran, Bihar on 23 June?
Three young children drowned in the Sugauli branch of the Tirhut Canal in West Champaran, Bihar, on 23 June, after their father, Rambabu Yadav, allegedly threw them into the water following a domestic dispute. Their mother, Lalita Devi, survived after allegedly being pushed in first.
Who are the children who died in the West Champaran canal incident?
The three victims were a six-year-old daughter, a four-year-old son, and a five-month-old infant girl — all children of Lalita Devi and the accused, Rambabu Yadav, residents of Bhangaha village.
Has the accused father been arrested?
No. According to police, Rambabu Yadav fled the scene after the incident. Search operations and raids are ongoing across the area to apprehend him.
How did the mother survive?
Lalita Devi alleged she was pushed into the canal first but managed to save herself despite the depth and strong current. She then alleged that her husband threw the three children into the water after her.
What action is the Bihar police taking?
Police teams from Kumarbagh and Chanpatia police stations recovered the bodies of all three children after a multi-hour search operation. An investigation is underway based on Lalita Devi's statement and evidence collected at the scene, and raids are being conducted to arrest the accused.
