The death of 25-year-old Ravirajsinh Jadeja during the police recruitment drive in Bharuch has sent shockwaves through the department and the candidate community. Here are the full details surrounding the incident and the subsequent measures taken:
The Incident
- Date & Time: Thursday morning, January 22, 2026.
- Context: Ravirajsinh was appearing for the physical endurance test for the Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) and Lok Rakshak Dal (LRD) recruitment at the Bharuch Police Headquarters parade ground.
- The Run: He completed the mandatory 5-km run in approximately 21 minutes, which is well within the qualifying limit of 25 minutes.
- The Collapse: Immediately after crossing the finish line and beginning his “cool-down,” he complained of severe breathlessness and chest discomfort. He lost consciousness and collapsed on the ground moments later.
- Medical Response: On-site medical teams provided immediate primary treatment. He was rushed to Bharuch Civil Hospital, but despite efforts to stabilize him, he was declared dead on arrival.
Background of the Aspirant
- Family: Ravirajsinh was the son of Mahendrasinh Jadeja, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) with the State Reserve Police (SRP) Group-1, currently posted in Vadodara.
- Hometown: Originally from Kutch, he was living with his father in Vadodara to prepare for the exams.
- Determination: This was his second attempt at the recruitment. He had narrowly missed clearing the physical test in a previous drive and had been practicing rigorously to fulfill his dream of joining the force like his father.
Medical Findings
- Cause of Death: A panel post-mortem and preliminary medical reports suggested the cause of death was cardiac arrest.
- Findings: Doctors noted evidence of heart blockages, which likely became fatal under the extreme physical exertion of the high-speed run.
Immediate Policy Changes in Bharuch
In response to this tragedy, the Bharuch Superintendent of Police (SP), Akshayraj Makwana, announced several emergency health measures for the remainder of the 44-day recruitment schedule:
- Specialist Presence: A dedicated team from Apex Cardiology Hospital (Bharuch) has been stationed at the ground starting Friday, January 23.
- Expert Supervision: This team includes a cardiologist and specialized nursing staff to provide advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) if another candidate shows signs of distress.
- Enhanced Screening: Medical teams have been instructed to monitor candidates more closely during the “cooling down” period immediately after they finish their runs.
Broader Impact
The incident has reignited debates regarding the intensity of physical tests for young aspirants. While the recruitment continues for the remaining 1,200 candidates per day, there is a heightened sense of caution, and officials are urging candidates to undergo personal health check-ups before attempting such strenuous physical feats.