Jharkhand excise job test toll hits 15

A 28-year-old candidate taking part on the last day of the excise constable physical test at Giridih centre in Jharkhand, died Friday, taking the death toll in the exercise to 15. At least 18 other candidates from various centres across the state were hospitalised after suffering from exhaustion and other ailments. While family members of the deceased, Viranchi Rai, expressed suspicion that he died of negligence, Giridih administration refuted the allegations.The test tracks were cordoned off and apart from the candidates and officials, no one was allowed near it. Chandan Rai, the deceased's cousin, claimed that Viranchi took part in the 10-km run Friday morning and began experiencing shortness of breath after completing 1,800 m, which was contradicted by officials. "The medical facility at the test centre was not adequate. My cousin died because of lack of medical facilities, which is tantamount to negligence," Chandan said.