Chhattisgarh man dies after cobra bite during live show, snake charmer held

The incident took place in Pankhanjur area of Kanker district on Wednesday evening and the dead man has been identified as Suresh Mandal.

Updated on: Jun 27, 2019, 17:21:06 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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A 37-year-old man died of a snake bite when a snake charmer wrapped the reptile around his neck during a show in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh, police said on Thursday.

The incident took place in Pankhanjur area of Kanker district on Wednesday evening and the dead man has been identified as Suresh Mandal.

“On Wednesday, there was a bazaar in Pankhajur and the accused snake charmer was performing a show in the bazaar. During the show, he claimed that he is an expert of snakes and he can control any snake,” Sharad Dubey, Pankhanjur’s station house officer (SHO), said.

“Subsequently, he wrapped the snake around the neck of Mandal. The cobra bit him on his left shoulder due to which Mandal collapsed,” Dubey said.

Beniram, the snake charmer, then claimed everything was alright and that he could take out the venom with his ‘mantras’ but Mandal died in front of the spectators, Dubey said.

After Mandal died, spectators and locals nabbed Beniram, thrashed him and then handed over to Pakhanjur police.

“When the spectators realised that Mandal was almost unconscious, they rushed him to the local hospital where he was declared brought dead. The hospital then informed the police and we rushed to the spot where the incident took place,” said the SHO.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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