Heat killed candidates during police recruitment drive

Between June 11 and 14 this year, four candidates, Rahul Sakpal, Prasad Mali, Ambadas Sonawane and Vishal Kedar, died during the five-kilometre run that is part of the recruitment process. The Bombay High Court had subsequently directed the police to conduct a probe into the incident, which was handed over to the Crime Branch.

The Mumbai police had come under scrutiny for lack of good recruitment infrastructure, with no arrangements made to even provide shelter to those travelling to the city for the tests. Unlike Navi Mumbai and Thane, where good resources were employed, the Mumbai police recruitment centres had just one long tent dividing the runners based on the time taken, even as they squatted on open roads under the harsh sun.

Crime Branch officials said that reports of post-mortem and histo-pathology analysis, which was conducted at the Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar and the Sion Hospital, concluded that the four candidates died due to multiple organ failure.

“The temperature during the time period that the five kilometre runs were conducted was around 38 degrees, which caused heat stroke. This, in turn, led to various organs failing and hence the candidates collapsed suddenly. Heat stroke is known to affect people in a young age group in such a way. Two of the four candidates were also found to be suffering from previous health conditions when they appeared for the tests,” said a source.

An officer added that the reports were studied by professional sports experts roped in to assist with the investigation and that they too had expressed a similar opinion.

A detailed report of the investigations will soon be submitted to senior police officers for perusal, sources said.

Following the deaths, the Mumbai police had started screening all candidates for blood pressure and irregularities in the heartbeat before allowing them to run. Several candidates were even rejected on these grounds. The timing of the run was also changed. It was decided not to hold the run before 4:30 pm.

gautam.mengle@expressindia.com