An interior designer from Gorakhpur was arrested here on Tuesday for allegedly opening three rounds of fire in the air near Vishwanatha temple at Dasarahalli on Monday night.
The police have seized a licenced .22 calibre US made pistol and 18 live bullets from the accused, identified as Jaipal Singh.
The police said the accused had fired three rounds in the air at 10 p.m. on Monday after the temple authorities reportedly prevented him from entering the temple as he was under the influence of alcohol. The accused had donated funds for the temple renovataion.
“The accused was under the influence of alcohol. He was upset for not having been invited to the temple for Shivarathri celebrations,” an officer at the Amrithahalli police station said.
One of the friends of Singh has lodged the complaint against the accused. The accused was regularly invited for functions at the temple. However, on Monday night the complainant denied Singh entry inside the temple as he was in an inebriated state. Frustrated over this, Singh opened fire from his licensed weapon, the officer said. One of the three rounds hit Mr. Singh's vehicle tyre. After the incident, Singh escaped in his vehicle. The police erected barricades in the surrounding areas and managed to arrest him a few minutes after the incident.
The accused was subjected to medical tests to ascertain the alcohol levels, the officer added.
Meanwhile, the city police are contemplating recommending to the authorities concerned to cancel Singh's pistol licence for allegedly misusing the firearm.
The Amruthalli police have registered a case.
