A Private security guard, who had shot a colleague while on duty at actor Shah Rukh Khan’s residence, Mannat, three years ago, was held guilty of murder by the sessions court on Monday.
On August 14, 2006, Yatendra Chauhan (31) shot his colleague Chandrapratap Singh (32) in the chest following an argument. The duo was employed with Top Security and deployed at the actor’s residence as additional security.
The police said, Singh and another guard, Sandeep Lakhan, were patrolling behind the bungalow around midnight when they found Chauhan sleeping. Singh reproved Chauhan for sleeping on duty and teased him on whether his “rusted” gun would “work”.
An angry Chauhan put his gun on Singh’s chest and fired a round. Singh was rushed to Bhabha hospital but was declared brought dead. Khan was reportedly at home when the incident took place.
Chauhan fled but was arrested the next day. He was granted bail in February 2007.
During the trial, the defence argued that Chauhan had fired in a fit of rage, and so be booked be only for culpable homicide not amounting to murder — where the maximum punishment is 10 years imprisonment — and not murder.
{{/usCountry}}During the trial, the defence argued that Chauhan had fired in a fit of rage, and so be booked be only for culpable homicide not amounting to murder — where the maximum punishment is 10 years imprisonment — and not murder.
{{/usCountry}}Public prosecutors Sunil Gonsalves and P S Tawade, argued that the accused had a licenced gun and knew the consequences if he fired at someone. Hence the case cannot be considered as culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The prosecution examined 10 witnesses to prove their case.
Accepting the prosecution’s argument, the court held Chauhan guilty of murder and is likely to pronounce the punishment on Tuesday.