Security guard opens fire inside bank in Delhi after allegedly being ‘caught napping’

Police have identified the accused as Rudra Pal Singh, an ex-serviceman who lives in Mahipalpur.

A security guard of a nationalised bank in south Delhi’s Defence Colony allegedly fired a shot with his licensed gun inside the bank on Tuesday, leaving one of the customers injured.

One customer was reportedly injured in the incident. (HT Photo)

Police have arrested the accused. Some witnesses alleged that the guard had fired the shot at one of the employees, after he caught the guard sleeping during office hours, but had missed the target. The police said they are yet to ascertain the allegations.

Police have identified the accused as Rudra Pal Singh, an ex-serviceman who lives in Mahipalpur. According to them, the police received a PCR call around 1.30pm at the Defence Colony police station reporting that the security guard of a bank has fired a shot inside the bank.

“When the police reached the spot, the guard was identified. The injured customer was identified as one Rajender Singh, from Badarpur. He had sustained a bullet injury on his back. The weapon of offence was recovered from the spot along with one empty cartridge and five live cartridges. The customer was rushed to a hospital where he underwent treatment. His condition is said to be stable,” deputy commissioner of police (south), Romil Baaniya, said.

“The guard has been booked for under sections 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and the Arms Act of the IPC,” Baaniya added.

He said that on being questioned, the guard claimed to have fired the shot accidentally. However, some of the witnesses told police that he and a staffer had a verbal spat after which the guard allegedly fired the shot aiming at him but missed.

The DCP said that the police are questioning the witnesses and the bank staff.

“All possible angles are being looked into,” he said.

An employee of the bank, Manilal, said that the officer had questioned the guard on catching him asleep. “The officer asked the guard who will provide safety if he will keep sleeping at work. On this, the guard stood up and fired the shot which hit one of our customers,” Manilal said.