Accidental Firing at Kashi Vishwanath Temple Leaves Three Injured
Three garland vendors were injured when a policeman's gun accidentally slipped from his hand and discharged two rounds outside the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. The incident occurred on Saturday, July 4, 2026, near one of the temple's entrances.
Details of the Incident
According to police officials, the constable was part of the security detail stationed at the temple. While handling his service weapon, the pistol slipped from his grasp and struck the ground, causing two rounds to fire. The bullets hit the ground, but fragments of shrapnel struck three nearby vendors: Nikki Gupta, Rambabu, and Vikas Yadav.
“Both bullets hit the ground, but shrapnel struck three garland vendors,” a police spokesperson said. The injured were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Their injuries were reported as minor, and they were treated and discharged later the same day.
Police Response and Investigation
Senior police officials arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. The constable involved has been taken off duty pending an inquiry. Authorities are reviewing security protocols and handling of weapons by personnel stationed at high-security locations like the temple.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the holiest sites in Hinduism, attracts thousands of devotees daily. Security is typically tight, with multiple layers of police and paramilitary forces deployed. This accidental firing has raised concerns about weapon safety among security personnel.
“We are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. Necessary action will be taken against the constable if negligence is found,” a senior police officer stated. The temple administration has also been informed about the incident.
