Police Constable's Accidental Death in Uttar Pradesh During Rifle Cleaning

A 30-year-old police constable, Ratnesh Prajapati, assigned for the security of BJP leader Manoj Singh, died after his rifle allegedly went off accidentally while cleaning it in Uttar Pradesh. An investigation is underway, and the constable's family has been informed.

A 30-year-old police constable deployed for the security of a BJP leader died allegedly after his rifle accidentally went off in this Uttar Pradesh district, an official said on Sunday.

Ratnesh Prajapati was part of the security detail of BJP leader Manoj Singh, said Additional Superintendent of Police Shailendra Singh.

Prajapati suffered a bullet injury and was taken to a hospital in a serious condition. He died during treatment, he added.

Preliminary investigations suggest that his firearm went off accidentally while the constable was cleaning it, the police said and added that a detailed probe was underway.

The constable's family members have been informed, they added.

BJP leader Singh, a former vice-president of the Allahabad University Students' Union, was the saffron party's candidate in the 2020 assembly bypoll from Malhani.

(With inputs from agencies.)