A late-night argument over a bonfire turned deadly in Kanpur, resulting in the fatal shooting of a 45-year-old security guard at an under-construction university site. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting a police manhunt.
Dispute Over Wood Leads to Fatal Shooting
The tragic event unfolded at the under-construction Agricultural University in Gadanpur Aahar village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Bilhaur police station. According to details, the victim, identified as Nirmal Singh Chandel alias Neeraj, was warming himself near a bonfire around 2:30 am.
The situation escalated when another guard on duty, Aniruddh Dwivedi, began adding wood he had brought to the fire. A heated argument broke out between the two men. After an exchange of verbal abuse, Dwivedi allegedly took out his licensed double-barrelled gun and fired a single shot. The bullet struck Nirmal in his left chest, causing critical injuries.
Accused Flees, Victim Succumbs to Injuries
Following the gunshot, other guards present at the location tried to apprehend Dwivedi. However, the accused threatened to shoot them as well and managed to flee on foot. He escaped towards a nearby jungle, evading immediate capture.
Fellow guards immediately informed the police, who rushed to the scene. The injured Nirmal Singh Chandel was quickly taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC). Unfortunately, doctors examined him and declared him dead on arrival. His body was subsequently sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Family in Mourning, Police Investigation Intensifies
The victim, Nirmal Singh Chandel, was the son of the late Kunwar Singh and a resident of Aurangpur Sambhi village. He worked as a security guard at the university construction site and also engaged in farming. His brother, Rohit Singh, stated that Nirmal had reported for his duty shift at around 7 pm on Friday as usual.
His untimely death leaves behind a grieving family facing immense hardship. He is survived by his wife, Pushpa Singh, who is currently battling cancer, and their young 12-year-old daughter, Tanishka.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) West, Dinesh Tripathi, confirmed that based on the complaint received, a murder case has been officially registered against Aniruddh Dwivedi. The accused is the son of the late Devi Prasad alias Munni. A comprehensive search operation is currently underway to locate and arrest him.
"Once the accused is arrested and the weapon is recovered, we will send a letter to the district authorities recommending the cancellation of the accused's gun license," DCP Tripathi added, highlighting a key step in the ongoing procedure.
The police are investigating all angles of the case and questioning other guards and witnesses to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to this violent outcome over a seemingly trivial matter.
