Ghaziabad: A national-level para athlete was allegedly murdered and his body was dumped in Sai Upvan area in the trans-Hindon region. Police recovered his body on Saturday. He had recently qualified for an international competition and was considered one of the country’s most promising para sports stars.According to police sources, Chirag Tyagi returned home on Saturday after winning a competition in Bengaluru, where he secured qualification at the 8th Indian National Open Para Athletics Championship.Deputy commissioner of police Dhaval Jaiswal said, “Around 3pm, officers of the Kotwali Nagar police station received the information that the para-athlete Chirag Tyagi was lying in the Sai Kunj area. They reached the scene, collected evidence and sent the body for an autopsy.”Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Upasana Pandey supervised the team tasked with collecting evidence and the initial investigation. Forensic experts were also called in to collect evidence from the site.A preliminary investigation suggests that Tyagi might have been subjected to electric shocks. Injury marks were found on his body and there is a hole in his back. It might be from a bullet wound or a sign of blunt force trauma, sources said. However, officers said the exact cause of death would only be confirmed after the post-mortem examination, which is scheduled for Sunday.The death has left Chirag’s family devastated. Relatives have alleged that he was murdered as part of a pre-planned conspiracy and have demanded a thorough investigation. Family members maintained that the athlete could not have died due to natural causes.“Based on CCTV footage, a suspect has been taken into custody and is currently being interrogated. The family members are being consulted. A case has been registered based on their written complaint, and further legal proceedings are underway,” said DCP Jaiswal.Considering the sensitivity of the case, police have formed special teams. Investigators have questioned Chirag’s girlfriend and recorded the statement of his coach. Family members are also being asked whether the athlete had any disputes or conflicts in recent months.
