• Jalandhar industrialist Deepak Pujara suffered a cardiac arrest while playing badminton at Raizada Hansraj Badminton Stadium on June 1.
• Cardiologist Dr Nitish Garg and Dr Piyush Sharma performed CPR and defibrillation before he was shifted to hospital.
• The emergency intervention helped stabilise Pujara's condition, and he later underwent cardiac treatment.
Jalandhar industrialist Deepak Pujara survived a cardiac arrest after two off-duty doctors performed CPR and defibrillation during a badminton match at Raizada Hansraj Badminton Stadium on June 1.
According to India Today, Pujara collapsed on court at around 9 pm while playing badminton. Cardiologist Dr. Nitish Garg and Dr. Piyush Sharma immediately began life-saving treatment before he was transported to hospital for further care.
Pujara suddenly collapsed and became unresponsive during the game, prompting immediate emergency action from doctors who were present at the stadium. Both doctors were off duty and were playing badminton at the stadium when they witnessed Pujara collapse and immediately rushed to assist him.
According to The Tribune, Deepak Pujara collapsed on court at around 9 pm while playing badminton at Raizada Hansraj Badminton Stadium. Players and staff immediately sought medical assistance.
Cardiologist Dr. Nitish Garg and Dr. Piyush Sharma rushed to help and began CPR using equipment available at the venue. After initiating CPR, the doctors used an automated external defibrillator (AED) when Pujara failed to respond to initial resuscitation efforts. The combination of continuous CPR and defibrillation helped restore a heartbeat before he was transferred to hospital.
Following successful resuscitation at the stadium, Pujara was shifted to Cardionova Hospital in Jalandhar for specialised cardiac care and additional treatment.
Also see: Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Genetic Cause More Common in Younger People
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating properly, causing sudden collapse and loss of consciousness. Without immediate treatment, it can quickly become fatal.
According to the American Heart Association, CPR helps keep blood flowing to the brain and other organs until further medical care is available. Defibrillation uses an electric shock to help restore a normal heart rhythm in certain cardiac emergencies.
The rapid CPR and defibrillation provided to Deepak Pujara before he reached hospital illustrate why early intervention is considered critical for improving survival after cardiac arrest.
The incident has renewed attention on the importance of having automated external defibrillators (AEDs) readily accessible in sports complexes, gyms, airports, and other public spaces, where rapid intervention can significantly improve survival after sudden cardiac arrest.
According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chances of survival after cardiac arrest when provided before emergency medical services arrive.
Reference:
1. American Heart Association. "Cardiac Arrest and CPR Facts." Accessed June 3, 2026. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest
(Rh/TP/MSM)