Neeraj Yadav Death: Three-Time Asian Para Games Gold Medallist Found Dead in Delhi

Neeraj Yadav, a three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist, was found dead in Delhi on 28 October, 2026 night in a suspected case of suicide. The news has saddened India’s sporting community.

Neeraj Yadav’s Death Reason

The 42-year-old was found lying beside his SUV near Maujpur metro station in northeast Delhi. A woman who knew him took him to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. GTB Hospital informed the police shortly after midnight on Tuesday.

What are the police saying?

Jafrabad police have begun proceedings under BNSS Section 194, the provision for inquiry and reports in suicide and other unnatural deaths. Officers said no suicide note or video has been found. A relative said Yadav had overcome many hardships to keep playing and that it was hard to believe he would take such a step. He also asked police to look into the woman’s role. The exact reason is not confirmed, and the investigation is still on.

Who was Neeraj Yadav? 

Neeraj came from Uttar Pradesh and ran Anshneer Sports Academy in Sonipat, Haryana. He is survived by his wife and three-year-old daughter. At the age of seven, he was diagnosed with post-polio residual paralysis, but he still chased a sporting career.

What was Neeraj Yadav’s sporting journey?

1. He played wheelchair tennis from 2005 to 2012, then moved to para-athletics.
2. His breakthrough came at the 2015 Delhi State Athletics Meet, where he won gold in shot put, javelin and discus.
3. At the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, he won gold in the men’s F55 javelin throw with an Asian-record throw of 29.84 metres.
4. At the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, he won gold in both javelin and discus, taking his total to three Asian Para Games titles.