National-level teen basketball player dies in freak accident on court in Rohtak

A national-level cager died in a strange incident when the iron pole of a basketball hoop fell on his chest during practice at a basketball court in Haryana’s Rohtak, police said on Wednesday (November 26, 2025).

In the tragic incident recorded on CCTV on Tuesday, November 25, it was stated that 16-year-old Hardik, who was participating in the youth national championship, lost his life.

Officials said the circumstances that led to the collapse of the iron pole, including the condition of the equipment, were being investigated.

Asked for his comment on the incident, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini told reporters on Wednesday, November 26, that he would first collect all the details about the issue.

CCTV footage shows the 16-year-old reaching for the hoop and when he tried to hang on, the pole collapsed, crushing him underneath.

Other players sitting courtside at the sports complex in Lakhan Majra village rushed Hardik to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, local SHO Samarjeet Singh said.