Air India Express flyer’s pistol ‘accidentally’ goes off at Varanasi airport: How it unfolded

Two security screeners were injured at Varanasi airport on Sunday morning.

LUCKNOW: Two ad-hoc cargo screening employees, including a woman, were injured after a passenger’s licensed pistol accidentally discharged during a weapons check at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Sunday morning.The incident occurred around 9.30 am when 55-year-old Kamlesh Rai, a resident of Azamgarh, arrived at the airport with his wife to board Air India Express flight IX-1810 to Mumbai. Rai was carrying a licensed pistol, which he had declared to airport authorities before the flight.Varanasi Airport director Puneet Gupta told TOI that the weapon accidentally discharged while it was being inspected, injuring two screeners working with AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Ltd (AAICLAS).The injured employees were identified as Suman Rani and Rohit Raj. Rani sustained an injury to her thigh, while Raj suffered an injury to his finger. Both were rushed to New Laxmi Trauma Centre for treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.Speaking to TOI, ACP Pindra Prashant Singh said the bullet first struck a hard surface before a fragment or ricochet hit the two employees.DCP Gomti Zone Neetu informed TOI that airport ground staff were carrying out mandatory security checks before boarding and had asked the passenger to produce the licensed weapon for inspection.“The pistol was in the hand of the passenger when a round present in its chamber was accidentally discharged. Two ground staff employees standing nearby sustained injuries,” she said.An official source said the passenger had an all-India permit for the weapon and described the incident as a case of negligence on his part. The source said the passenger was a regular flyer and had owned the licensed weapon for a long time, making him familiar with the precautions required while handling it. “The passenger is responsible for the accidental firing, as it was his responsibility to check the pistol’s chamber and ensure that it was clear of ammunition before entering the airport premises,” the source said.An FIR is being lodged under Sections 125(a) and 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for negligent acts causing hurt and serious hurt.