Taking serious note of the lapses that led to an undertrial snatching a gun and firing 23 rounds on Sunday on the NIMHANS campus, four constables have been suspended. On Tuesday, Joint Commissioner (CAR) D. Roopa suspended Head Constable Nanjundappa, who was in charge of security arrangements, and constables Sharanappa Vodegere, C. Manjuntha and Mohana Aradhya. Ms. Roopa submitted a report on the incident to Commissioner N.S. Megharikh on Tuesday.
The report revealed that the incident was precipitated as the guard commander had taken an off on Sunday without arranging for a replacement.
On Sunday, undertrial Vishwanath (22) caused a scare on the NIMHANS campus when he threatened the constable on duty with an iron rod and used two .303 rifles to fired 23 shots randomly before being shot dead.
The report says: “We have found that head guard Nanjundappa had taken an off on Sunday without deputing an in-charge guard. Though there was a provision for him to take an off on Sunday, he had not got any replacement nor had he informed his superiors.”
Inquiries also revealed that though they were posted at the ward, Sharanappa Vodegere. C. Manjunatha and Mohana Aradhya were not present when Vishwanath entered the guard room and got hold of the weapons, the report said.
DCP CAR (South) Kanthrajappa is conducting a departmental inquiry into the incident and the investigations will reveal whether the rifle was snatched from the constable or Vishwanath went inside the room and got hold of the weapon, Ms. Roopa added.
The constables were suspended over multiple counts of dereliction of duty. While the head guard or head constable can be held responsible for negligently locking the armoury with a lock that can be easily broken, the others were penalised for not being present at the spot; one of them claimed that his rifle was snatched from him.
The officials are planning to review security measures in the criminal ward. “There is no proper facility to store arms. We will ask NIMHANS to provide a strong room,” Ms. Roopa said.
