Home for Diwali, Rashtrapati Bhavan bodyguard shot over firecracker dispute

A bodyguard posted at Rashtrapati Bhavan was allegedly shot in the head by a neighbour after an argument over bursting firecrackers turned violent in Uttar Pradesh on Diwali night. He had returned home on leave to celebrate the festival with his family.The victim, Saurabh, was bursting firecrackers with his brothers, Vineet and Mintu, outside their home in Gopalpur Khadana village in Baghpat district on Sunday night when two neighbours allegedly confronted them.According to the family’s complaint to police, Dheeraj and Monu alias Praveen objected to the firecrackers and began abusing the brothers. The argument escalated into an assault, during which Dheeraj allegedly pulled out a country-made pistol and fired.The bullet struck a wall before hitting Saurabh behind the ear and becoming lodged in his head, the complaint stated. He collapsed, bleeding heavily. Saurabh remains in critical condition in the ICU of a private hospital in Meerut, where doctors operated to remove the bullet.The family alleged that Vineet and Mintu were also assaulted when they protested and tried to protect Saurabh. The accused then allegedly fled after threatening to kill them. Police have registered an FIR against Dheeraj and Monu based on a complaint by Saurabh’s father, Janakraj.Saurabh joined the President’s Bodyguard in 2021 and is currently posted at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He had arrived in the village two days before the incident.After the shooting, his family rushed him to the Baraut Community Health Centre, where he received first aid. Doctors referred him to Meerut Medical College, but his family took him to a private hospital in the city.Additional Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar Chauhan and Circle Officer Anshu Jain visited the scene and gathered details about the incident.- Ends(With inputs from Manudev Upadhyay)