Two minor cousins found dead in water-filled pit in Damoh, MP
Synopsis
Two young cousins — aged 11 and 6 — who had gone missing from Tavari village in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, were found dead in a water-filled pit just metres from their home. The younger girl, Kavya, had travelled from Agra to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. Police have registered a case; post-mortems are scheduled to determine the cause of death.
Key Takeaways
Mansi ( 11 ) and Kavya ( 6 ), two minor cousins, were found dead in a water-filled pit in Tavari village , Damoh district , Madhya Pradesh , on 2 September .
The girls were reported missing at around 5 pm ; their bodies were discovered at approximately 10 pm after slippers were spotted near the pit.
Kavya had come from Agra, Uttar Pradesh , to celebrate Raksha Bandhan at her maternal uncle's home in Tavari.
Post-mortem examinations are scheduled for Wednesday at Jabera Health Centre ; cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
No family member has expressed suspicion against any individual; police are questioning locals to establish the circumstances.
Two minor girls — cousins — were found dead in a water-filled pit in Tavari village of Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh, on the night of 2 September, hours after they were reported missing, police confirmed. The deceased have been identified as Mansi (11), daughter of Santosh Singh, and Kavya (6), daughter of Pappu Singh, both residents of Tavari village under the Jabera police station area.
How the Girls Were Found
According to police, the two girls went missing at around 5 pm on Tuesday. Family members searched the village and surrounding areas but were unable to locate them, after which they alerted the authorities. A search team was promptly assembled by the police, who combed the area alongside family members and local residents.
At around 10 pm, searchers spotted the girls' slippers near a deep, water-filled pit in a field directly opposite their home. When a torch was shone into the pit, the bodies of both girls were visible in the water. Police and local residents pulled the bodies out and transported them to the Jabera Health Centre, where they have been kept for post-mortem examination.
What Officials Said
Tendukheda Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Archana Ahir confirmed the recovery. 'During the search, the bodies of both girls were found in the water-filled pit located in the field opposite their house,' Ahir said, adding that a case had been registered and an investigation was underway.
Background and Family Details
Police noted that Kavya was originally from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and had travelled to Tavari to visit her maternal uncle, Vinod Singh, to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. Vinod Singh confirmed that the girls had disappeared suddenly around 5 pm, prompting the family to search nearby areas before contacting police.
Notably, no family member has so far expressed suspicion against any individual in connection with the deaths, according to police. Investigators are questioning family members and local residents to establish how the girls reached the pit and the exact circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Post-Mortem and Investigation Status
Post-mortem examinations are scheduled for Wednesday, after which the bodies will be handed over to the respective families. The cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed pending the medical examination. Police have registered a case and the probe is ongoing.
The tragedy comes as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by open, unguarded water pits in rural areas — a recurring hazard across several Indian states during and after the monsoon season. Investigators are expected to determine whether the deaths were accidental before the inquiry concludes.
Point of View
Unguarded water pits in agricultural fields that become lethal traps, particularly during the monsoon season. While investigators are yet to rule out foul play, the circumstantial evidence points toward a tragic accident — yet the absence of any protective barrier around the pit raises accountability questions that extend beyond this family's grief. Authorities across Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states have repeatedly been flagged on this issue, with little systemic action. Until mandatory safeguarding of open pits in residential-adjacent farmland is enforced, such tragedies are likely to recur.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the two minor girls in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh?
Two minor cousins, Mansi (11) and Kavya (6), were found dead in a water-filled pit in Tavari village, Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh, on the night of 2 September. They had been reported missing by their family around 5 pm and were discovered hours later when their slippers were spotted near the pit.
Who were the girls and where were they from?
Mansi (11) was the daughter of Santosh Singh and a resident of Tavari village. Kavya (6) was the daughter of Pappu Singh and had travelled from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, to visit her maternal uncle Vinod Singh in Tavari to celebrate Raksha Bandhan.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Police have registered a case and are questioning family members and local residents to determine how the girls reached the pit and what led to their deaths. No family member has so far expressed suspicion against any individual. Post-mortem examinations are scheduled for Wednesday to confirm the cause of death.
Where were the bodies found and who recovered them?
The bodies were found in a deep, water-filled pit in a field directly opposite the girls' home in Tavari village. Police and local residents pulled the bodies out after spotting the girls' slippers near the pit at around 10 pm. The bodies were taken to Jabera Health Centre.
What happens after the post-mortem examination?
Post-mortem examinations are scheduled for Wednesday at Jabera Health Centre. Once completed, the bodies will be handed over to the respective families. The findings are expected to guide the direction of the police investigation.
