A young man chasing his dream of joining the Gujarat Police collapsed and died on Thursday morning, moments after finishing a gruelling physical test at the Bharuch police headquarters, leaving fellow candidates and officials in shock.

Ravirajsinh Jadeja, 25, had travelled from Kutch district to appear for the physical endurance round of recruitment for Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) and Lok Rakshak posts. According to police officials, he completed the required five-kilometre run and stepped aside to recover when he began showing visible signs of distress.

Those present said Jadeja appeared uneasy and complained of discomfort before suddenly collapsing. Medical teams stationed at the venue rushed to his aid and administered first aid. As his condition failed to improve, he was immediately shifted to Bharuch Civil Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Second Chance at Recruitment Ends in Tragedy

The tragedy unfolded in the presence of Jadeja’s father, Mahendrasinh, an Assistant Sub-Inspector with the State Reserve Police (SRP) posted in Vadodara. Police said this was Jadeja’s second attempt at the recruitment process, having narrowly missed clearing the physical test during the previous year’s selection.

Bharuch Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana said, “His father informed us that he had practised extensively for the exam and completed the 5-km run in just 21 minutes, well within the stipulated limit of 25 minutes. The post-mortem report suggested there was some blockage in his heart.”

A case of accidental death has been registered at the Bharuch B Division police station, and a panel post-mortem examination has been ordered to determine the precise cause of death, police said.

Recruitment Halted After Death

The sudden death led to temporary disruption at the recruitment centre, with candidates visibly shaken by the incident. Senior officials maintained that medical arrangements, including ambulances and trained personnel, had been deployed at the site in line with existing guidelines.

In the aftermath, Bharuch police announced additional medical safeguards for the remainder of the recruitment drive. “We have received support from Apex Cardiology Hospital in Bharuch. The hospital will station a team, including a cardiologist and support staff, at the ground from Friday. This will help us respond better to medical emergencies and prevent serious incidents,” an official said.

The Gujarat Police recruitment exercise, which began on January 21, is scheduled to continue for 44 days, with hundreds of candidates appearing daily for physical tests at the Bharuch ground. Jadeja’s death has cast a pall over the process and reignited concerns about health screening and emergency response during high-intensity recruitment examinations.