A 30-year-old postgraduate diploma student in cricket coaching at Haryana Sports University in Rai, Sonipat, died after drowning in the campus swimming pool on Thursday night. The victim, Nishant Gautam, a resident of Palwal, had entered the pool around 8:30 pm following a cricket session. He was pulled from the water and rushed to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Family Alleges Murder
While the university administration has described the incident as an accident, Gautam's family has alleged that he was deliberately drowned and has demanded an impartial investigation. His uncle, Kuldeep Kumar, stated that Gautam was an experienced swimmer who regularly performed deep dives. Kumar pointed out inconsistencies in the statements made by university officials and coaches. He questioned, 'We were told that two boys and two girls were present with Nishant at the time. If other students were there, why was the administration informed so late?'
University and Police Response
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ashok Kumar said that six to seven students were present in the pool at the time of the incident. He suggested that other students might have left to change clothes while Gautam remained in the pool. A fact-finding committee, headed by former Maharishi Dayanand University sports director R.P. Garg, has been constituted to investigate the matter. ACP Vipin Ahlawat confirmed that police, along with the SHO of Rai police station and a forensic team, reached the spot. A medical board was formed for the postmortem at the family's request, and the body was handed over after the autopsy. 'Action is being taken based on the statements given by the deceased student's family,' Ahlawat said.
Background of the Victim
Gautam had been residing in the university hostel. He was married three years ago and is survived by a three-year-old son. His wife is currently three months pregnant. Family members noted that Nishant was the eldest among his siblings.
