Patiala – Police Authorities claim that 44-year-old Patiala SP Barjinder Dhillon accidentally shot himself while cleaning his gunman’s AK-47 rifle.
The police have registered proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPc in the case of death and has ruled out suicide as of now. In such circumstances, there is a possibility that a family member could get a government job on compassionate grounds.
According to Tribune News, the Patiala SP was found dead at his residence on Monday afternoon with an AK-47 rifle found on the death spot, issued to his gunman. Though there were rumors of suicide by the police officer initially, however later the district police claimed the officer died of accidental fire while cleaning the AK-47 rifle. The police confirmed two shots were fired from the weapon which pierced through the officer’s neck.
The victim was today cremated at his home town Barnala where many senior officers were present. The family members of the deceased SP immediately informed the Civil Lines police station and station house officer of the Civil Lines police station was among the first to arrive at the scene. DIG Police Shiv Kumar Sharma and Patiala city SP Pritpal Singh Thind also reached the spot. The house was cordoned off and heavy police force was deployed outside the house. There was a big crowd of anxious onlookers.
Hardyal Mann, Senior Superintendent of Police, said: “This can happen if the weapon is on automatic position. An AK-47 can be put on auto mode. We have sent the weapon for an examination and will wait for the ballistic report.”