Lucknow: A 26-year-old man, who was deputed with the Rashtrapati Bhawan security, was seriously injured after being shot in the head during a dispute over bursting firecrackers in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat on Diwali night, the police said.
Saurabh Tomar had returned home to celebrate Diwali with his family, who live in Gopalpur Khadana.
They received information about the firing around 10 pm on Sunday, the Baghpat police said. Preliminary inquiry revealed that Saurabh was bursting firecrackers on the road along with his family when two neighbours, brothers Dheeraj and Monu, objected to it and got into an argument with Saurabh’s brother, Vineet (28).
The disagreement soon escalated into violence as Dheeraj allegedly pulled out a country-made pistol and opened fire. The bullet first struck a wall before hitting Saurabh in the head.
The accused also allegedly assaulted Vineet and threatened the family with dire consequences before fleeing. Family members rushed Saurabh to a hospital, where doctors performed surgery and removed the bullet. His condition is now reported to be stable, as reported by Indian Express.
The police registered an FIR against Dheeraj and Monu on charges of attempt to murder. Circle Officer Anshu Jain said, “Efforts are underway to trace and arrest the accused.”
Saurabh got married around two years ago and has a nine-month-old child.
His father, Janakraj, the complainant in the case, said Saurabh had returned home three days before Diwali. “Saurabh and Vineet were bursting crackers when the accused arrived and attacked them. They have an old enmity with our family,” he claimed.
Saurabh has been posted at Rashtrapati Bhavan for the past seven years, he said.
