Three Police Officers Suspended Following Fatal Shooting at HPCL Plant in Budaun
In a significant development following the tragic shooting at a Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) facility in Budaun district, three police officers have been suspended for alleged dereliction of duty. The disciplinary action comes just one day after two senior HPCL officials were fatally shot by an armed assailant inside the plant premises.
Victim's Mother Alleges Police Negligence
Rani Devi, mother of victim Harshit Mishra, has publicly accused police of negligence in protecting her son. Mishra, a 35-year-old deputy manager at the plant, had reportedly made multiple attempts to alert authorities about credible threats to his life.
"My son told everyone his life was at risk, but nobody paid attention," Devi stated emotionally. According to her account, Mishra had formally informed the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, and even the local Member of Legislative Assembly about the dangers he faced, yet no protective measures were implemented.
Suspended Officers and Investigation Details
The suspended officers include Station House Officer Ajay Kumar, Sub-Inspector Dharmendra Kumar, and an unnamed constable. Their suspension followed a disciplinary report submitted by Ujhani Circle Officer Devendra Kumar, who documented failures in duty that may have contributed to the security lapse.
The shooting suspect, identified as Singh, was an outsourced vendor recently blacklisted by HPCL for unsatisfactory work performance. Following his termination, Singh allegedly began threatening both victims: 55-year-old HPCL manager Sudheer Gupta and deputy manager Harshit Mishra.
Arrest and Subsequent Shooting Incident
Police apprehended Singh shortly after the plant shooting. During a Friday morning investigation, officers took the suspect to a forest area to recover the murder weapon. According to official statements, Singh managed to retrieve a concealed country-made pistol from the bushes and opened fire on the police team.
"In retaliatory fire, police shot him in both legs and admitted him to the district hospital," explained Budaun Senior Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar Singh in an interview with Times of India.
Broader Context and Implications
This incident raises serious questions about industrial security protocols and police responsiveness to credible threats in Uttar Pradesh's corporate sector. The HPCL plant shooting represents not just a criminal act but a systemic failure in protective measures for corporate employees facing documented dangers.
The suspension of three police officers indicates acknowledgment of procedural failures, while the victim's family's allegations suggest deeper issues in how threat assessments are handled by local authorities. As investigations continue, attention remains focused on whether additional security lapses will be uncovered and what reforms might be implemented to prevent similar tragedies.
