The Sports Authority of India has initiated an internal enquiry into the alleged suicide of athlete Palinder Chaudhary at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium late on Tuesday evening.
The 18-year old sprinter from Aligarh had reportedly attempted suicide in his hostel room at SAI’s Athletics Academy and was later declared dead. Initial reports have indicated that Chaudhary trained till 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday before returning to his room, only to be rushed to the Safdarjung Hospital by other trainees, officials and his sister who had come to visit him, around 6 p.m.
SAI director-general Neelam Kapur said the enquiry would be headed by SAI secretary S.S. Chhabra. “The enquiry officer will speak to all concerned — coaches, other athletes and his family members, especially his sister — to understand what may have led him to take this extreme step. We are extending all support to the family,” Kapur said.
Chaudhary had joined the academy in November 2016 and won a relay gold at the 2017 Asian Youth Championships in Bangkok. He had also participated in the 2017 World Youth Championship. He had been away at Jabalpur earlier this year to complete joining formalities with the Indian Army before returning to training.
Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore also expressed his condolences on the incident.
