Dehradun: A 49-year-old head constable deployed at the state guesthouse near Jolly Grant airport died in a suspected accidental firing from his service rifle at his house in Dehradun’s Ranipokhri area on Monday night, police said.
The deceased, identified as Sunil, stayed in the guesthouse quarters while his family lived in Ranipokhri, near the airport. According to police, the incident occurred around 9:15 PM after Sunil received an emergency call from his son regarding his wife’s ill health and rushed home from duty.
Dehradun SP (Rural Rishikesh) Jaya Baluni stated, “After reaching home, Sunil rang the doorbell. As his son was about to open the gate, the family heard him fall, followed by multiple gunshots.” Family members rushed outside and found Sunil lying in a pool of blood. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Police were later informed by his son.
Baluni said a preliminary investigation revealed that 11 rounds were fired from Sunil’s carbine rifle. “A probe is underway to examine all possible angles,” Baluni added. The exact cause of the firing remains unclear, and authorities are investigating whether it was an accidental discharge or a mishandling of the weapon. The incident has raised questions about safety protocols for service weapons.
