Bihar: SSP’s guard shoots self 8 days before marriage

PATNA: Darbhanga SSP’s escort guard Chintu Kumar (22) allegedly shot himself dead on Tuesday. His marriage was scheduled for June 24. He belonged to Karpi in Arwal and had joined service only two years back.
The incident took place around 10am in one of the barracks on SSP’s official premises under Laheriasarai police station in Darbhanga district. SSP Babu Ram is home quarantined after testing positive for Covid-19.City SP Yogendra Kumar is in charge.
Laheriasarai police station SHO HN Singh said Chintu’s colleague heard two gunshots. They rushed to the barracks and found Chintu lying in a pool of blood.
“Chintu had one gunshot injury in his neck. He used the INSAS rifle allotted to him. He was rushed to Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared him brought dead,” Singh said. The SHO said two empty cartridges were recovered from the spot.
“The reason behind his suicide is yet not clear. However, he was to get married this month. His marriage was fixed earlier, but the date had to be extended due to the lockdown. He had recently returned from leave,” Singh said and added that police were investigating the case from all angles, including an accidental firing, the SHO said.
Meanwhile, Bihar Police Men’s Association president Narendra Kumar Dheeraj alleged that Chintu’s leave application for marriage was not accepted, resulting in his mental stress. “He had applied for leave in the City SP office on June 12. We have urged the DGP to probe the matter and punish the culprits,” Dheeraj said.
When contacted, Darbhanga range IG Ajitabh Kumar said it was highly impossible that the constable committed suicide over leave issue. “Leave is granted easily for marriage and death in someone’s family. There might be something else related to his marriage. I would be able to tell something only after talking to his family,” he told TOI.