Man accidentally shoots self in inebriated state

Victim was showing off his weapon to friend, say police

A 32-year-old man is suspected to have accidentally shot himself while showing off his pistol to a friend in south Delhi’s Sangam Vihar on Monday night, the police said on Tuesday. The victim was drunk at the time of the incident, the police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Vijay Kumar said the deceased has been identified as Amit Kumar, a resident of Sangam Vihar. He was showing his pistol to a friend Rajnish when he pressed the trigger which injured him fatally, Mr. Kumar said. “The PCR call was received around 1.30 a.m. A medico-legal certificate was received from a private hospital regarding admission of a person with gunshot injury in the head who was later referred to AIIMS Trauma Centre,” the officer said adding that the person was then identified after the police reached.

During enquiry, the police said that it was revealed that Amit had gone to meet his friend Bablu late night in Gandhi Camp where the two had drinks and left for Amit’s house. On the way, the two stopped at their friend Rajnish’s house who saw a pistol concealed in Amit’s clothes.

“Rajnish asked Amit about the pistol and he said he keeps it for protection. He [Amit] took the pistol in his hand, removed the magazine, and put the pistol on his temple. Rajnish tried to stop him. Bablu who was standing at a distance also shouted to stop, but he pressed the trigger and a shot was fired which injured him,” Mr. Kumar said.

Amit was rushed to the hospital on a scooter by two persons identified as Sumit and Rahul who were on the street nearby. Meanwhile, Bablu took the weapon and rushed to Amit’s house to inform the family. He allegedly handed over the weapon to Amit’s brother.

Post-mortem report

The police said that Amit died while being taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre and was declared dead at the hospital.

The police have registered a case under Section 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code and under relevant sections of the Arms Act. The post-mortem report will make the case clearer, the police said.