Chanchal Lahiri on the boat moments before he started the stunt on Sunday

Lahiri being lowered into the

Hooghly river

as he performed one of his tricks in Kolkata

The final dip made by Chanchal Lahiri

Mandrake's body was fished out on Monday

KOLKATA: After a day-long search for magician Chanchal Lahiri, who disappeared during a water stunt in the Hooghly, police on Monday found his body near Ramakrishnapur Ghat close to Howrah . The body was identified by the magician’s brother. Meanwhile, a police probe — with help from reputable magicians — established that Lahiri, known as Mandrake, had made several mistakes while performing on Sunday.The cops were initially reluctant to confirm if the body that was found was indeed Lahiri. “Another man had died at a spot close to where Lahiri disappeared and we want to ensure we have a positive identity,” DC (Port) Syed Waquar Raza had said.Lahiri, who was to come out of the water after being thrown in with his hands and feet bound, had not only failed to explain his entire act — including his escape plan — to his team, but also wore cumbersome clothing and guards that made swimming in the strong current extremely difficult. Magician P C Sarkar, who is a master of such stunts, remarked that perhaps Lahiri had “needed a little more practice”. Lahiri’s team, too, waited about 15 minutes after the magician was lowered into the water to raise an alarm.Cops indicated they wanted to investigate whether Lahiri took help of some lacunae on part of the administration and probably paid for it with his life. “A case of negligence is likely to be registered,” said a source .“Mandrake was supposed to be lowered 30 feet under water. Thousands watched from the Howrah bridge and the launch jetty in Howrah, and it is impossible the cops missed the entire episode when even politicians were present,” claimed a friend on Monday.Sources said Mandrake never mentioned in his permission letter that he was going into jump into the water. The same letter stated he wanted to take photographs and perform an extra event around 1.30pm. “He performed almost an hour earlier. Hence, the mandatory presence of river traffic police was absent,” said a Port division officer.Police said Lahiri drowned around 12.30pm and it is still unclear whether he was performing or practising the act.Moments before the stunt on Sunday morning, Lahiri said, “If you perform a dangerous trick perfectly, you are a magician. If you fail, it is always tragic.”