Man who saved life of Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant during car accident attempts suicide with girlfriend
The 25-year-old man is critical after a suicide attempt with his girlfriend, who died
Rajat Kumar, 25, who gained recognition for rescuing Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant after a car accident in 2022, allegedly attempted suicide with his girlfriend by consuming poison
According to an NDTV report, the incident took place on February 9 in Buchha Basti village of Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh.
According to police, Kumar and his 21-year-old girlfriend, Manu Kashyap, took the extreme step after their families opposed their relationship. While Kashyap succumbed during treatment, Kumar remains in critical condition at a hospital.
Their families had reportedly arranged their marriages elsewhere and objected to their relationship due to caste differences. This opposition allegedly drove the couple to consume poison.
Following Kashyap's death, her mother has accused Kumar of kidnapping and poisoning her daughter, NDTV reported.
A Muzaffarnagar police officer confirmed that a case was registered at Purkazi police station based on a written complaint from Kashyap’s family.
“We have received a complaint from the woman’s family, accusing Rajat of poisoning her,” The Times of India quoted the officer as saying.
A doctor from the hospital where they were treated told TOI, “Both consumed a strong pesticide. We started immediate treatment. Manu's family later moved her elsewhere, but Rajat is improving under our care.”
Who is Rajat Kumar?
Rajat Kumar, 25, first made headlines in December 2022 for his heroic act in rescuing Rishabh Pant after the cricketer met with a near-fatal car accident.
Pant was traveling from Delhi to Uttarakhand when his Mercedes crashed into a divider and caught fire near Roorkee. Kumar, along with another local resident, Nishu Kumar, spotted the accident and rushed to help. The duo pulled the cricketer out of the burning vehicle and arranged emergency medical assistance.
Their bravery was widely praised, and in appreciation, Rishabh Pant later gifted them scooters. The cricketer made a remarkable recovery and returned to the field the following year.
