Is Mumbai’s ‘killer’ police recruitment test a farce?

Mumbai: The number of deaths in the police recruitment test is on a rise. With the death toll touching five during the recruitment drive, the fitness test seems more like a cruel mockery.

Often the intense heat and poor amenities take a toll on aspirants, as many are seen collapsing while completing the 5-km run, a compulsory part of the physical fitness test.

Many of these poor youngsters come to Mumbai in the hope of the jobs. However, they have no facilities for food or residence and have to stretch their limits by running five-km on an empty stomach.

Meanwhile, the High Court sent a notice to DGP questioning the police recruitment process followed in the state.

At least 1, 20,000 youngsters have applied for the 2,500 posts of constables in the Maharastra police. One of the main rules for the 5km and 3km run for men and women is that the tests should be conducted before 9.30am and after 4.30pm every day.

Last week, Vishal Kedar, 25, of Nasik, died in Platinum Hospital, Mulund on Friday. Earlier, two others, Prasad Mali, 25, and Ambadas Sonawane, 27, of Nasik died on Wednesday.

On Saturday, a 21-year-old Mumbai cop aspirant died during the recruitment process. Rahul Sakpal’s second attempt to the test led to his death, despite his dedicated practise sessions.

His friends told a newspaper that, “Sakpal was academically bright and wanted to crack the civil services exams. Since the state police recruitment was underway, he decided to give it a try and test himself. He was ambitious and decided to stop eating rice, and would practice for hours twice a day.”

Sakpal had completed the 5-km run even after he felt dizzy. He got 10 marks instead of the 20 because he took four minutes more than the stipulated time.

Lashing out at the state government over deaths of candidates during the police fitness test, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray also asked if home minister R.R. Patil was himself fit to govern. Mr Thackeray’s reaction came after four candidates died during a five-km run in the scorching heat during the police recruitment.

“What is the use of the fitness test? Is the home minister himself fit to govern? Half the ministry is pot-bellied and their flab is hanging loose. Why making mockery of the poor candidates?” Mr Thackeray told a newspaper.