Ex-staffer of Isro injured in accidental firing by 4-yr-old

A 56-year-old retired employee of Isro sustained an injury on his neck after a four-year-old boy accidentally pulled the trigger of a revolver at the residence of former corporator K Muniraju at Chokkasandra in Peenya on Monday.

Govindappa, the victim, was rushed to Sparsh Hospital in Yeshwantpur. Govindappa underwent two surgeries. He is said to be out of danger.

The incident occurred minutes after Muniraju came home from the Independence Day celebrations. Govindappa and Muniraju are friends for many years. The duo spoke for a while at the balcony in the second floor. Muniraju went to his bedroom and changed his dress. He later went inside the bathroom.

Muniraju, who is into real estate business, had bought a .32 revolver 12 years ago for self-defence. He had kept the weapon on the table, but had forgotten to lock it. Muniraju’s grandson Pandu went inside the room and started playing with the revolver. The boy came outside and accidentally pressed the trigger.

The bullet was fired at Govindappa. It hit the right side of his neck and exited from the left. He collapsed on the ground bleeding, the police said.

“I have never used the revolver in the last 12 years. I would lock it every day. However, I forgot to lock it on Monday when I went to the bathroom. I came out running after hearing the sound. I rushed Govindappa to the hospital,” Muniraju said.

“The police have obtained the CCTV footage and analysed it. There is nothing suspicious about the incident. It was an accidental firing,” DCP (North) T R Suresh said. Dr Chinnadorai of Sparsh Hospital said that two surgeries were performed on Govindappa. He has sustained internal injury. He is out of danger and is responding to treatment, the doctor said.