A NRI was killed after a loaded pistol holstered at his waist discharged while he was getting up from a sofa at his residence in Punjab’s Firozepur on Monday, police said. The incident, which occurred in Dhani Sucha Singh village, was captured on CCTV cameras installed inside the house.
The deceased was identified as Harpinder Singh alias Sonu, who had recently returned from abroad and settled in the village. Police said Harpinder Singh was sitting on a sofa with a relative when the firearm accidentally went off as he stood up, with the bullet hitting him in the stomach.
CCTV footage showed family members rushing towards Harpinder Singh immediately after the gunshot and helping him out of the room. He was taken to a government hospital, from where
doctors referred him to another facility. Harpinder Singh died while being taken to Bathinda for further treatment.
Police sent the body for a postmortem examination. Station House Officer Ravinder Sharma of Sadar Police Station said the statement of Harpinder Singh’s father, Darshan Singh, was recorded and action was taken under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The body was later handed over to the family.
Harpinder Singh had recently returned from overseas and got married. He is survived by his wife and a two-year-old daughter. His funeral was held on Tuesday, with a large number of villagers in attendance. Leaders and workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were also present to pay their respects.
Police said the circumstances surrounding the firearm discharge are being examined.
