National para-athlete Chirag Tyagi shot dead days after qualifying for Asian Games, rival arrested
PTC News Desk: A 25-year-old national-level para athlete was allegedly shot dead by a fellow competitor in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, just days after securing qualification for the Para Asian Games scheduled to be held in Japan this October.
The victim, Chirag Tyagi, was regarded as one of India's rising para-athletics talents. He had recently won a gold medal in the 400-metre event at the National Para Athletics Championship in Bengaluru. According to his family, Tyagi left home on Wednesday morning for his hostel but remained unreachable for several hours, prompting concern.
When repeated attempts to contact him failed, his family approached the police and lodged a missing person complaint.
On Saturday afternoon, police discovered Tyagi's body in the Sai Kunj area of Ghaziabad. Preliminary findings suggested that he had been shot.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and subsequently detained Yash Khatik, another para athlete. Police said Khatik and Tyagi had previously trained together and competed in athletics events under the visually impaired category.
During questioning, investigators learned that Tyagi had earlier raised objections regarding the verification of Khatik's documents, which allegedly led to Khatik's disqualification from competition. Police believe the killing was motivated by a desire for revenge.
“The motive appears to be professional rivalry and revenge. Yash Khatik allegedly lured Tyagi to a secluded location and shot him from behind,” said DCP Dhaval Jaiswal.
Khatik has since been arrested and a criminal case has been registered against him. Police teams are searching for the firearm allegedly used in the crime.
Authorities are also investigating whether any other individuals were involved in the incident. The exact cause of death and further details surrounding the killing are expected to be confirmed after the post-mortem examination report is received.
- With inputs from agencies
