Local passersby alerted the authorities after spotting two bodies lying on the riverbed. The sight prompted an immediate response from the Nardana police station, which dispatched officers to the scene. The recovery took place in the Savalde area, a stretch of the river that runs close to the highway. Police confirmed that the deceased were a married couple, setting off a chain of investigative steps that would follow in the hours and days ahead.
When officers reached the riverbed, they observed a detail that struck them as highly unusual: the legs of the two victims were bound together. An iron chain had been looped around both sets of ankles, and the chain’s ends were fastened with a padlock. The chain and lock were still in place when the bodies were lifted from the water. Police noted that the restraint appeared deliberate, though they offered no immediate explanation for how or why it had been applied. The presence of the restraint became a central focus of the early examination, as investigators sought to understand its significance in the context of the deaths.
Identification of the deceased was quickly established. According to police inquiries, the pair had married for love only a few months before their bodies were found. No further details about their personal lives, families, or daily routines were disclosed in the initial reports. The fact that they were newlyweds added a layer of poignancy to the discovery, and investigators noted the short duration of their marriage as part of the background they would consider while piecing together events leading up to the recovery.
A senior officer, speaking on behalf of the force, described the situation: "The bodies were found on the riverbed.
The Nardana police station took charge of the operation. Officers secured the scene, photographed the bodies and the chain, and arranged for the remains to be transported for a post‑mortem examination. A senior officer, speaking on behalf of the force, described the situation: "The bodies were found on the riverbed. Their legs were tied with an iron chain, which was secured with a padlock. It is not yet clear whether this was a death by suicide or a murder. We are investigating every angle." The statement underscored the openness of the inquiry, indicating that detectives were not favoring any particular theory at that stage. The post‑mortem was ordered to establish the cause and manner of death, while forensic teams examined the chain and lock for any trace evidence.
The Tapi River, at the point where the bodies were located, flows close to the Mumbai‑Agra highway, a major thoroughfare that cuts through Dhule district. The Savalde area, where the recovery occurred, is known for its relatively quiet riverbanks despite the nearby traffic. Police noted that the stretch is accessible from the highway, which could have facilitated either the disposal of the bodies or, alternatively, a scenario in which the couple entered the water voluntarily. The proximity to the road also meant that the discovery was made relatively quickly, allowing authorities to begin their work without significant delay.
As of the latest updates, the investigation remains active. Forensic results from the post‑mortem have not been made public, and police have not announced any definitive conclusions regarding whether the deaths resulted from suicide, murder, or some other circumstance. The chain and padlock continue to be examined for fingerprints, DNA, or other clues that might shed light on how they came to be fastened around the victims’ ankles. Authorities have reiterated that they are pursuing every lead and have asked anyone with information to come forward. The case, marked by its unusual details and the youth of the couple, continues to draw attention while officials work to establish what transpired in the days before the bodies were found in the Tapi River.