Three Kanwariyas, devotees of Lord Shiva, were killed in a tragic accident on a highway in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib district early on the morning of August 9, 2026. The incident occurred as the group was returning to Faridkot district after collecting holy water from Gangotri in Uttarakhand. A speeding car struck the devotees, resulting in the fatalities and serious injuries to another individual.

Victims and Response

The deceased have been identified as Mahinder Pal, also known as Gagan, aged 43; Deepak Kumar, 42; and Jagdish Mittal, known as Kalu, aged 40, all hailing from Faridkot. Following the accident, the injured Kanwariya, also a resident of Faridkot, was transported to a hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, doctors later declared the three men dead upon arrival.

In response to the incident, a group of Kanwariyas and local residents congregated at the site to express their outrage. They staged a sit-in protest, demanding the immediate apprehension of the driver, who fled the scene shortly after the collision. The car’s registration plate reportedly fell off during the incident, aiding the authorities in their investigation.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for the driver and the vehicle involved. A case has been formally registered, and law enforcement officials are working to establish further details regarding the incident.

Current Status of the Investigation

Law enforcement has commenced a thorough investigation following the accident. Police have duly recovered the car’s registration plate and are utilising this evidence to trace the offending vehicle and its driver. The urgency of the case has been amplified by the emotions surrounding the Kanwariyas’ pilgrimage, which is currently at its peak during this year’s Kanwar Yatra.

The Kanwar Yatra is a significant annual pilgrimage for Hindu devotees and commenced on July 30 with the onset of the holy month of Shravan. This year, it is expected to conclude on August 11 with celebrations for Shivratri. The timing of the tragic event has added to the communal grief as devotees participate in their religious observances.

Community leaders and devout members of the Kanwariya community have called for increased safety measures on highways, particularly during the pilgrimage periods, to prevent such accidents in the future. The local government is being urged to examine existing road safety protocols in light of this incident.

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