A 26-year-old CISF constable was critically injured after sustaining a gunshot wound in his abdomen when a sub-inspector’s service weapon accidentally discharged during a drill at Rohini West Metro station on Wednesday.
The drill was being jointly conducted by Central Industrial Security Force, Delhi Police and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation when the accident occurred at 10.40 am. According to police, CISF constable Ritesh Tripathi, who hails from Madhya Pradesh’s Harda district, is undergoing treatment at Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital.
CISF sub-inspector Sitaram Chahar, 57, of Agra has been detained after a case of negligence was registered with Rithala Metro police station. Sources added that Sitaram has also been suspended, and a court of inquiry has been ordered by CISF.
“A team of 22 security personnel were participating in the drill when constable Ritesh suffered a gunshot wound,” a police officer said. Ritesh was rushed to Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, where his condition is out of danger.
Hospital sources said the bullet hit Ritesh’s abdomen and pierced through his ribs.
CISF spokesperson Hemendra Singh said a probe has been ordered into the incident as security personnel are not allowed to carry loaded weapons during such drills.
Sitaram told police that he was leaning against the wall when his 9mm pistol hit the wall and accidentally discharged.
“He also claimed that he was not aware that the service weapon was loaded,” the officer added. Police have collected CCTV footage from the Metro station to ascertain the sequence of events. “Prima facie, it seems that there was no foul play in the incident. However, we are investigating it from all possible angles,” the officer said.
Participants of the drill were also questioned. Ritesh is posted with CISF’s DMRC unit at Rithala.
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