In a tragic incident highlighting the dangers faced by frontline environmental protectors, a forest guard was killed while attempting to halt illegal mining activities in Rajasthan's Alwar district. The Sarmathura police have now made an arrest in connection with the case, apprehending a key member of the alleged mining mafia.
Arrest Made in Forest Guard's Death
The Sarmathura police station in Dholpur district arrested 41-year-old Ramsevak Gurjar, a resident of Nagar, on Sunday. He is accused of involvement in the death of forest guard Jitendra Singh Shekhawat. The arrest marks a significant development in the case that has drawn attention to the violent clash between law enforcement and illegal mining operations in the region.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The fatal event occurred in the early hours of January 7, 2026, around midnight. Jitendra Singh Shekhawat, aged 42, was performing his duty at the Jhiri checkpoint within the Sarmathura police station area. According to the police account, he tried to stop vehicles belonging to the gravel mining mafia that were speeding on the main road.
In a brazen act, one of the vehicles, a tractor-trolley, struck Shekhawat at high speed and fled the scene without stopping. The impact was severe, with a wheel of the vehicle running over his thigh, causing critical injuries. Despite being rushed for treatment, Jitendra Singh Shekhawat succumbed to his injuries late on Friday in Jaipur. Following his death, the police conducted a post-mortem examination and subsequently handed over his body to his grieving family members.
Victim Was an Ex-Serviceman and New Recruit
The loss is deeply personal for his family and a significant one for the forest department. Jitendra Singh Shekhawat was a former serviceman who had recently been recruited as a forest guard in 2024. A resident of Kotputli, he is survived by his wife and two children, who are now left to cope with his untimely demise.
This case underscores the persistent and dangerous challenge of illegal mining in parts of Rajasthan, where those tasked with protecting natural resources often face lethal threats from organized operations. The arrest of Ramsevak Gurjar is a step toward accountability, but it also brings into sharp focus the risks undertaken by officials like Shekhawat in the line of duty.
