CISF cop shoots self; DRDO worker jumps in front of train

A CISF constable shot himself dead with his service AK-47 rifle outside a Metro station in the city where he was posted during the early hours of Thursday.

Within 12 hours, a DRDO employee ended his life by jumping in front of a running train at Udyog Bhawan Metro station.

In the first incident, the CISF personnel’s colleague had noticed him point the rifle to his temple, but last-ditch efforts to prevent him from pulling the triggers went in vain as four bullets entered the 40-year-old’s head one after the other.

No suicide note has been recovered. Authorities said no history of depression was reported by the victim or his colleagues in the past.

“It is likely he was disturbed over some personal or family issue. A court of inquiry has been ordered in the case and we are extending all possible support to the police in the investigations,” CISF PRO Hemendra Singh told Deccan Herald.

Mukesh Kumar Tokas was posted at the New Delhi Express Line Metro station. At around 2:15 am on Thursday, Tokas and his colleague Himanshu Pandey went outsides the Metro station to check if everything was alright.

While Pandey returned to the station soon, Tokas stayed outside. Pandey went to check on him half-an-hour later to find him pointing the rifle at his head.

“Pandey made a plunge to prevent him from pulling the trigger, but it was too late by then,” said the officer. Civilians were nearby, but no one had any time to gauge his intention.

Hailing from Alipur in Uttar Pradesh, Tokas had joined the paramilitary service in 1997 and had been living with his family in west Delhi’s Bijwasan. While his daughter is pursuing her bachelor in arts, his son is enrolled in class 11.

His colleagues have been questioned by the police as well as by their senior officers. “None of them reported any change in his behaviour. If even one of them had informed us that he was depressed, he would have been immediately taken off duty and counseled,” said the PRO.

In the other incident, a 33-year-old clerk with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) jumped to his death in front of an approaching train at Udyog Bhawan Metro station on Thursday afternoon.

No exact cause behind the extreme step has been ascertained in the absence of a suicide note.

“His wife has said that he felt negative about most things in life and had been staying aloof from everyone for sometime,” Sanjay Bhatia, DCP (Railways), told Deccan Herald.

Rajiv Kumar jumped on the tracks as a train bound for Jahangirpuri entered the station at 12.23 pm on Thursday. He was pulled out of the tracks and rushed to RML Hospital where one of his legs had to be amputated. He succumbed to his injuries late in the day.