Jalgaon Gun Shop Owner Arrested After Accidental Revolver Discharge Injures Woman
In a startling incident in Jalgaon, the Chalisgaon Road police have arrested the owner of a licensed gun shop after he allegedly accidentally fired a revolver while cleaning it, resulting in a bullet striking a 45-year-old woman's forearm. The police have registered a case against the shopowner under Section 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), highlighting the serious nature of the offense.
Details of the Incident
The victim, identified as Suraiyya Bagwan, wife of a fruit seller, was inside her first-floor apartment in the West Hudco area around 5:30 pm on Saturday. She was filling a glass from a water jar when a .32 caliber bullet unexpectedly struck her forearm. The projectile then deflected and hit a nearby tin house, causing additional damage. Initially, Bagwan did not realize the severity of her injury and visited a private clinic to have her wound dressed, where the nature of the injury went unrecognized.
The police were alerted to the firing incident only after the stray bullet struck the tin house. Upon arrival, officers recovered the bullet, but faced significant challenges in determining the trajectory and origin of the shot due to the lack of immediate evidence.
Police Investigation and Discovery
Inspector Sureshkumar Gushar of the Chalisgaon Road police station stated, "When we reached the area, Bagwan had just returned from the hospital. Even the private clinic she visited did not realise the nature of the injury. After questioning her, she explained she was injured while filling a glass of water. By calculating the angle from her first-floor apartment, we surveyed locations in the line of fire and discovered a licensed gun shop approximately 40 to 45 metres away."
When police first approached the gun shop, the owner, Juber Pathan, denied any involvement in the incident. However, during a thorough investigation, officers discovered the bullet casing lying in a pipe on the shop's terrace. This critical piece of evidence led Pathan to confess that the revolver had accidentally discharged while he was cleaning it.
Legal Actions and Consequences
Following the confession, the police have taken strict action. Inspector Gushar added, "On the instruction of SP Shrikant Dhivare, we will be writing to the district administration to cancel the shop's licence. The shopowner not only acted irresponsibly while handling the firearm, but also attempted to conceal the incident from the police during the investigation."
The case underscores the importance of responsible firearm handling and the legal repercussions of negligence. The arrest and potential licence cancellation serve as a warning to other gun shop owners to adhere strictly to safety protocols to prevent such dangerous accidents in the future.
