KOCHI: A jawan of the Defence Security Corps died of a gunshot fired from his own rifle while on duty at INS Garuda, the Indian Navy’s air-station at the Kochi Naval Base, on Monday early morning.
The police and the Indian Navy have launched an investigation to ascertain whether the shot was fired accidentally or intentionally. The deceased has been identified as Naik Sivadasan K, 53, native of Konjery, Mulankunnathukavu, Thrissur.
According to the police, the incident occurred around 1.30 am at INS Garuda, where Sivadasan was deployed as sentry from 12.30 am to 4.30 am. A Naval patrolling unit that reached the spot on hearing the gunshot found Sivadasan dead.
“The bullet hit his chin and penetrated into the skull. The death occurred due to injury inside the head, which was confirmed in the postmortem held at the Alappuzha Medical College,” said an official of the Harbour police station. The autopsy revealed that two bullets were fired from the rifle into the jawan’s body.
A Naval spokesman said that when the patrolling unit arrived, Sivadasan was already dead. When asked about the possibility of work pressure being the factor that caused the incident, the spokesmen said the preliminary investigation did not reveal anything related to work pressure.
“Sivadasan never raised any complaint against anyone, and he was a silent person with very few friends. He had taken 45 leaves so far this year. None of the jawans to whom we spoke is aware of Sivadasan having any problem,” added the spokesman.
“A case has been registered at the Harbour police station, and we have launched a probe. Statements of relatives of the deceased have to be recorded. The body has been handed over to relatives,” said a police official.
The police team probing the case is of the view that Sivadasan might have committed suicide.
Family yet to come to terms with tragedy
Thrissur: The death of Sivadasan was a shock to the family of the victim here as he had spoken to them last night informing them that a new quarters was allotted to him and soon the family could shift to Kochi once the formalities are over. Eight years ago the family of Sivadasan settled in Mulamkunnathukavu in Thrissur. Sivadasan who joined the Navy after 15 years of his military service, was posted to Kochi hardly a year ago from Andaman Nicobar Islands. He was also planning to take retirement from service after one year due to the work pressure and old age, said family members. He is survived by Girija, daughters Anisha and Binisha.