Bundi, 14 November (H.S.): A polling official deployed at Khiya polling station in Rajasthan's Bundi district died, on Saturday under unclear circumstances on Saturday morning while on election duty during the panchayat polls.

The deceased, Bablu Kumar Gochar, was part of the polling team assigned to the station in the Hindoli area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Basoli police station. According to police, he had slept with other members of the team on Friday night but did not wake up in the morning. His colleagues found him unresponsive when they tried to wake him.

Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Singh Champawat said a green corridor was arranged to shift Gochar to Bundi District Hospital after information about his deteriorating condition was received. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The exact cause of death has not been established. Champawat said the Chief Medical and Health Officer had been informed and that further action would be taken in accordance with the rules after the medical report was received.

Bundi Sub-Divisional Magistrate Lakshmikant Meena said Gochar had appeared to be in good health when the polling team was preparing to sleep the previous evening, although he had complained of dizziness and had not sought medical assistance.

According to Meena, the polling team informed officials on Saturday morning that Gochar had suddenly lost consciousness. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The cause would be known after the post-mortem report, he said.

Senior district officials, including Additional District Collector H.D. Singh, visited the hospital and enquired about the circumstances surrounding the death. Police personnel were deployed at the hospital as Gochar's family members arrived.

Family members said Gochar had joined government service around three years ago as a Physical Training Instructor.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar