Armed constable in Hyderabad suspended for accidentally firing rifle

Hyderabad: An armed constable was placed under suspension by the city police on Monday after he accidentally discharged a round from a self-loading rifle (SLR) which he was inspecting, at the police mess in Masab Tank. No injuries were reported.

Masab Tank police said that the incident occurred during a routine weapon inspection. “Weapons are inspected at regular intervals. It was during one such inspection that an SLR accidentally got discharged,” police said.

The incident occurred at the guard area in the police mess. The bullet pierced the roof of the shed. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the incident, police said, adding that the incident occurred at 11 am, when there was no one around.

An enquiry was ordered into the incident and the constable, identified as Vinod, was placed under suspension.

The gun was pointing upwards and the constable, forgetting that a live round was inside the rifle, cocked the gun as part of routine testing during the inspection, officials said, adding that departmental proceedings were initiated.