A person died and another suffered pellet injuries in what is suspected to be a case of accidental firing near Jammanahalli in Sakleshpur taluk on Wednesday night.
Thammanni, 35, died on the spot while Mohan, who suffered pellet injuries, has been admitted to a hospital in Hassan.
Thammanni, Mohan, Jayanna and Manjunath, all relatives and residents of Jammanahalli, had gone to the nursery farm they had developed on the outskirts of the village. Manjunath carried with him a single-barrel gun as the area is known for the presence of wild elephants.
According to a complaint filed by Thammanni’s wife Roopa, the group noticed a wild elephant moving in the area and attempted to drive it away by firing in the air. “It is suspected that as he was handling the gun, [Manjunath] accidentally applied pressure on the trigger and fired at Thammanni and Mohan who were just behind him. Thammanni died on the spot and Mohan suffered injuries to his head,” a police source said.
According to the police, the villagers tried to hush up the matter and avoid a police case. But the police arrived at the spot after hearing about the firing from third parties.
Thammanni’s autopsy was conducted in Sakleshpur. Manjunath is absconding, the police said.
