Twist in Bulandshahr Violence: Was the Inspector and Civilian Shot With Same Weapon?

In a fresh twist to the murder of police inspector Subodh Kumar Singh by a right-wing mob over alleged cow slaughter in Chingravati police booth of Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh, a probe has reportedly revealed that the police inspector and a youth, Sumit, were shot dead with (.32) bore of the same gun, which is not used by the police. 

Meerut Zone Inspector General of Police (IG) Ram Kumar was quoted by News18 as saying that the statements recorded by the villagers of Mahaw, an Army jawan named Jeetu alias Fauji had allegedly fired the bullet that killed the police inspector. Jeetu is posted in Jammu and Kashmir and a team of police is on the way to nab him. “After questioning him, it will be clear whether the bullet was his or not. At present, the team has gone to Jammu on the basis of doubt," the IG said. 

Meanwhile, the key accused, Yogesh Raj, a member of Hindutva outfit, Bajrang Dal who allegedly led the violent mob in Bulandshahr, is still absconding.

On Monday, police inspector Singh was attacked while trying to quell mob violence on the streets after some villagers landed up with cow carcasses on a tractor trolley, alleging slaughter. His car was reportedly chased in the sugarcane fields where he was allegedly shot dead. Incidentally, Singh was an investigating officer in the Dadri mob lynching case of Mohd Akhlaq till November 2015. His sister has alleged a conspiracy behind the murder, linking it with the Dadri case.

‘Not a police weapon’

Newsclick approached Vikram Singh, former Director General of Police (DGP) of UP Police, to know whether police use (.32) bore or if it is commonly used by a person. This is what he had to say. "No, (.32) is not a bore that is given to the police. Such weapons are meant for civilians not for the police. The police forces across the country use (.38), (.45) and (.30) and obviously (.32) is 'not a police weapon'. The police force in India wouldn't issue (.32) weapon.

Vikram Singh further said that if media reports were to be believed, that the two had died of the same bore, then the same killer used this weapon and killed both of them in separate incidents, or they were in close proximity and the bullet pierced. (.32) is a reasonably powerful bullet and can pierce two people standing close to each other, he said, adding that the matter would be clear only after investigation. 

When asked what sort of arms and ammunition are used by the police, he said there are three kind of weapons -- CQ weapon, that is, a revolver and pistol, 9mm FN browning and llama pistols. Some times, 4-5 ports and the 38 prohibited bores revolvers and pistols are also used.  “But (.32) bore only you and I can apply for, ” he said.

KP Singh who is investigating the case told Newsclick over the phone, "According to the information, the murder of inspector Subodh Kumar and another civilian, Sumit, was shot with the (.32) bore bullet but whether the same revolver was used will be known only after Jeetu’s arrest. A team of police has been sent to the Jammu and Kashmir to arrest him and thing will be clear after interrogation, he added. 

Meanwhile, the slain inspector’s wife told the media after her meeting with Chief Minister Adityanath on December 6 that her husband used to receive threat calls over phone. "He used to receive threats. He used to record the calls. This record has all gone with the mobile missing after his killing,” she said.