Para Athlete Shot Dead in Ghaziabad, Rival Para Athlete Arrested in Alleged Revenge Killing

A shocking case of alleged revenge killing has emerged from Ghaziabad after national-level para athlete and gold medallist Chirag Tyagi was found dead under suspicious circumstances near Sai Upvan on Saturday, leaving the sporting community in deep shock.

Police have arrested another para athlete Yash Khatik , who allegedly confessed to shooting Tyagi, according to investigators. Officials said the case appears to have stemmed from a personal dispute linked to a complaint made during a document verification and eligibility process , which led to the cancellation of the accused athlete’s competitive status.

Chirag Tyagi , 24, a resident of Basantpur Sethli village in Muradnagar , had recently returned from a training camp in Pune and reached Delhi on May 29. Family members said they last spoke to him on Saturday morning when he informed them he would return home by afternoon. However, his mobile phone became unreachable shortly after, and he was later found dead.

Police said preliminary findings suggest Tyagi was shot at close range , and his body was recovered from the Sai Upvan area under Kotwali police station limits. A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and forensic reports are awaited to confirm the exact sequence of events.

During the investigation, CCTV footage and local intelligence reportedly led police to detain Yash Khatik , who had earlier trained with Tyagi and competed in para athletics. Officials said both were known within the same sporting circuit, making the case particularly disturbing for the para sports community.

According to police, the alleged trigger was a complaint lodged by Tyagi during the verification process, after which Khatik’s eligibility was cancelled , creating resentment. Investigators believe this anger escalated into revenge, leading to the fatal shooting. During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the crime , and police teams are now working to recover the weapon used in the attack.

Tyagi was regarded as a promising athlete who had recently won a gold medal at a national-level competition , earning recognition and selection prospects for upcoming international events, including the Para Asian Games in Japan later this year . His sudden death at a crucial stage of his career has intensified grief among fellow athletes and coaches.

Police continue to investigate all angles, including possible involvement of others, while efforts are underway to trace the firearm and gather additional evidence.

The incident has cast a dark shadow over the para athletics community, raising concerns over personal rivalries, administrative disputes, and off-field tensions among emerging sportspersons.