Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Oct 31: A youth died after jumping into Swarna river at Perampalli here, apparently as part of a 'challenge' posed among friends.

The deceased has been identified as Sadique, a resident of Santhekatte.

It is learnt that on the evening of Monday October 30, a group of six friends including Sadique had gone to the railway bridge across the Swarna river at Perampalli. The friends used to often sit on the bridge and chat.

As per sources, on Monday evening, the friends were talking, drinking and smoking, when they came up with a challenge to jump into the river. Sadique was the first to accept the challenge, and even as the others were talking, he suddenly took the plunge. It is said that his friends warned him that he should jump only if he knew to swim, and he told them that he did.

Sadique went missing soon after he jumped. Sean Mathew, who was one among the friends' group, jumped after Sadique to rescue him. He too struggled in the water, but fortunately, was rescued by a local fisherman and brought ashore.

The police and locals who arrived at the spot searched for Sadique, but to no avail. On Tuesday October 31, his body was found.

Sadique was a building contractor by profession and ran other small businesses too. He leaves behind his wife and two young children.

Manipal police have registered a case.