Bengaluru biker who died in Rajasthan desert buried

The funeral of a Bengaluru-based biker, who died in Rajasthan's desert region after apparently deviating from his way while exploring the surroundings on August 17, took place in Jaisalmer.

Asbak Mon T K, 34, was buried in a Jaisalmer graveyard in the presence of his wife and in-laws. "Since his body was in a bad shape, his family decided to bury him as per Muslim rituals," Saqib, a fellow biker and Mon's friend, told DH.

Mon, originally from Kannur district, Kerala, worked at a private firm in Bengaluru. He was supposed to participate in the 'India Baja' off-road rally that was to be flagged off on Saturday. But he apparently lost his way, said the Jaisalmer Superintendent of Police, Jagdish Chandra Sharma.

"He had travelled all the way from Bengaluru to participate in the two-day adventure event. But he hadn't yet registered in the race. He was exploring the city on his own and when he did not return, other participants contacted us," Sharma added.

Mon, along with Aaron, Benzi, Sanjay and Vishwas, had left for a pre-planned practice session in the challenging deserts of Jaisalmer. The group stopped midway to refuel. That's when Mon drifted away. "We realised he is not returning. We re-entered the track to start looking for him. Around 5 pm, we called the Northern Motorsports for help. A search party was arranged immediately," Saqib said.

He continued: "By 9 am on August 17, Mon was found at WayPoint 90 which was outside the 92-km stage. His bike was parked on the track with a helmet planted on the GPS and he was seated a few meters away resting on his back in a comfortable position. A closer inspection showed he was dead."

Karan Singh, SHO, Sam police station, said: "The biker appears to have died from dehydration. The post-mortem report suggests he was feeling dehydrated. He fell his bike and could not regain the strength to get up."

Friends remember Mon as a man of absolute grit with an "unmeasurable passion for Indian motorsports".