The Indian sporting fraternity was in for a deep shock on Saturday after a 25-year-old para-athlete and gold medallist, Chirag Tyagi, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Ghaziabad, the police reported on Sunday. According to police, they have launched an intensive probe into the case, and preliminary findings suggest he may have been murdered. 

Tyagi’s body, according to reports, was found in the Sai Kunj area falling under the jurisdiction of Kotwali police station, sending a wave of shock and panic among those who closely followed his inspiring sporting journey. 

Tyagi recently claimed gold medal

The young athlete, who met the ill-fate, hailed from Basantpur Sainthli village in Muradnagar, and had recently achieved one of the biggest milestones of his career. Just two days before his suspicious death, he had claimed a gold medal in the 400-metre race at a national championship in Bengaluru, seizing a berth for the upcoming Para Asian Games scheduled to be held in Japan in October 2026. 

Family left devastated

According to Tyagi’s family members, he had left home on Saturday morning for his hostel as part of his regular routine. However, when he did not return and efforts to contact him did not yield results, his relatives grew anxious. Hours later, they learnt of his death, which plunged them into mourning. 

The harrowing discovery also sparked panic in the surrounding area, while the police sprung into action immediately. 

Prima facie murder suspected

Senior police officers rushed to the spot shortly after receiving the alert regarding the incident, and initiated a probe. Tyagi’s body was sent for post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause behind his death. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Dhawal Jaiswal said authorities received information about a body lying in the Sai Kunj area after 3 pm on Saturday. He confirmed that the deceased was identified as Chirag Tyagi, adding that initial findings indicate the possibility of murder. The cops have begun gathering evidence, examining the crime scene and are questioning locals to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the athlete’s death. 

One suspect detained 

After the police sifted through the CCTV footage collected from the area, they have detained a suspect and are interrogating him at present. Officials said a case has been registered after receiving a written complaint from his family, and further details shall be disclosed as the probe advances.