Two dead in Maharashtra, Karnataka: Youth found hanging, farmer killed by lightning
Synopsis
Two unrelated deaths on 16 October — a 20-year-old found hanging from a tree in a Pune forest and a 62-year-old farmer struck by lightning in Haveri — have prompted separate police investigations in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Key Takeaways
Rupesh Kalu Mokashi , 20 , was found hanging from a babul tree in Nimgaon Ketki village , Indapur taluka , Pune , on 16 October .
An accidental death case was registered at Indapur Police Station under Section 194 of the BNSS ; investigation is ongoing.
Farmer Mahadevappa Shidenur , 62 , died after a lightning strike while working in a field in Joisaraharalahalli village , Ranebennur taluk , Haveri district , Karnataka.
The Haveri case is being probed by Halageri Police Station ; police say more details are expected.
The two incidents are unrelated and occurred in different states on the same day.
Two people died in separate, unrelated incidents in Maharashtra and Karnataka on 16 October 2026, according to police. A 20-year-old youth was found hanging from a tree in Pune district, while a 62-year-old farmer was struck dead by lightning in Haveri district.
Youth Found Hanging in Pune Forest
The body of Rupesh Kalu Mokashi, a resident of Nimgaon Ketki village in Indapur taluka, was discovered hanging from a babul tree in a Forest Department-reserved area opposite Sonai Dairy on the morning of 16 October. Mokashi, who originally hailed from Dhaytipada in Trimbakeshwar taluka of Nashik district, had last been seen the previous night when his family retired after dinner.
According to police, family members and friends launched a search after he was found missing around 6 am. A local resident, Patil Atul Dale, alerted authorities after the body was located. The deceased was taken by ambulance to Indapur Sub-District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
An accidental death case has been registered at Indapur Police Station under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Investigations are ongoing, and no cause of death has been officially established beyond the circumstances of discovery.
Farmer Killed by Lightning Strike in Haveri
In a separate incident in Karnataka, farmer Mahadevappa Shidenur, 62, died after lightning struck him while he was working in an agricultural field in Joisaraharalahalli village, Ranebennur taluk, Haveri district. The case falls under the jurisdiction of Halageri Police Station, and officers are continuing to gather further details.
Lightning fatalities in agricultural fields are not uncommon during the monsoon and post-monsoon transition period in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Farmers working in open fields remain particularly vulnerable, and authorities have periodically issued advisories urging caution during inclement weather.
Official Response and Ongoing Probe
Police in both states have confirmed formal investigations. In the Pune case, the accidental death registration under the BNSS allows investigators to examine the circumstances more closely before any further classification. In the Haveri case, officers indicated they expect to gather more information as the probe progresses.
Both families are awaiting the outcome of official inquiries as local communities come to terms with the losses.
Point of View
While unrelated, highlight persistent vulnerabilities — inadequate mental health outreach in rural Maharashtra and the recurring danger lightning poses to farmers in exposed fields during Karnataka's post-monsoon period. Routine accidental-death registrations can obscure the need for deeper investigation: in the Pune case, the circumstances of a young man found hanging warrant thorough inquiry before conclusions are drawn. On lightning deaths, India records among the highest fatalities globally each year, yet farmer-directed early-warning systems at the taluka level remain patchy at best.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the youth found hanging in Pune?
The deceased was identified as Rupesh Kalu Mokashi , a 20-year-old resident of Nimgaon Ketki village in Indapur taluka, Pune district. He originally belonged to Dhaytipada in Trimbakeshwar taluka of Nashik district.
What are police doing in the Pune hanging case?
An accidental death case has been registered at Indapur Police Station under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The investigation is ongoing and no official cause of death beyond the circumstances of discovery has been declared.
Who was the farmer killed by lightning in Karnataka?
The farmer was identified as Mahadevappa Shidenur, 62, a resident of Joisaraharalahalli village in Ranebennur taluk, Haveri district, Karnataka. He died after lightning struck him while he was working in an agricultural field.
Which police stations are handling these cases?
The Pune hanging is being investigated by Indapur Police Station in Maharashtra. The lightning death in Karnataka falls under the jurisdiction of Halageri Police Station in Haveri district.
Are the two incidents connected?
No, the two incidents are entirely separate and unrelated. They occurred in different states — Maharashtra and Karnataka — on the same day, 16 October, and involve different circumstances.
