A festive birthday celebration in Jalandhar turned into an unimaginable tragedy on New Year's Day, as the daughter of a prominent Shiv Sena leader lost her life due to a suspected gas leak from a bathroom geyser.
A Birthday Celebration Ends in Tragedy
The victim has been identified as 22-year-old Munmun Chitwan, the daughter of Deepak Kamboj, who serves as the Shiv Sena's North India chief. The incident occurred on Thursday, January 1, 2026, which was also Munmun's birthday. The family home in Jalandhar was being prepared for celebrations, with special arrangements made and relatives invited, when disaster struck.
Sequence of a Fatal Incident
According to preliminary police reports, Munmun had gone to take a shower. Inside the locked bathroom, a gas leak from the geyser led to a rapid accumulation of toxic fumes. She reportedly began facing acute breathing difficulties and lost consciousness.
"When she did not emerge for a long period, concerned family members knocked on the door. Getting no response, they forced it open," stated a police officer involved in the case. They found Munmun unconscious on the floor.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital without delay, but medical professionals could only declare her dead upon arrival. The preliminary medical opinion strongly points to death by suffocation due to gas inhalation.
Investigation and Aftermath
Local police have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the gas leak and the apparent failure of the geyser. The body was sent for a post-mortem examination to conclusively determine the exact cause of death. Following the necessary procedures, the last rites were performed and the body was cremated on Thursday afternoon itself.
Deepak Kamboj, grieving the loss of his daughter on what was meant to be a day of joy, confirmed the heartbreaking coincidence of the tragedy occurring on her birthday, which coincided with New Year's Day. This incident has cast a pall over the political circles in Punjab and highlighted the critical importance of regular maintenance and safety checks for common household appliances like geysers.
