Lucknow: Shiv Sena functionary and former corporator Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, who was arrested after his licensed pistol went off accidentally during security screening at Varanasi airport on Sunday, injuring two screening staff, was released on bail on Monday, police said.Rai, a Mumbai-based businessman, is a resident of Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh. His son Ritesh Rai is a corporator in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).Phoolpur police station had booked Rai under Sections 125(A) and 125(B) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing hurt through an act endangering the life or personal safety of others.“Since both sections are bailable, Rai was released on bail on Monday,” said SHO, Phoolpur, Rajeev Kumar Singh.The incident occurred at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport around 9.30 am on Sunday when Rai was scheduled to fly to Mumbai on an Air India Express flight. He had declared a licensed 7.62 mm pistol and 22 live cartridges at the check-in counter as required under the prescribed procedure.Rai was escorted to the designated screening area for mandatory security formalities.“During the handling and inspection of the weapon, a round was accidentally discharged. The projectile ricocheted and caused injuries to two screening staff, Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari,” a statement from the ministry of civil aviation said.The two injured staff members are undergoing treatment at New Lakshmi Trauma Centre in Varanasi.According to the preliminary police investigation, the pistol’s magazine was removed but one round remained in the chamber when the trigger was accidentally pressed.
