Mumbai: A senior police official who was allegedly shot at by his deputy before he committed suicide inside a police station in Suburban Mumbai, has died.
Senior Inspector Vilas Joshi died at a private hospital last night after Assistant Sub-Inspector Dilip Shirke allegedly shot at him before turning the gun on himself inside the police station, a senior police official said here today.
Joshi's last rites will be performed today at South Mumbai's Chandanwadi crematorium, he said.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai police Crime Branch has started an inquiry into the case which took two lives, besides injuring police wireless operator Balasaheb Aher, he said.
The incident took place at the Santacruz police station, where Joshi was the in-charge.
Immediately after the incident, senior officials, including Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria, Joint Commissioner (Law and Order) Deven Bharti, along with Deputy Police Commissioner Mohan Dahikar as well as crime branch officers of unit VIII visited the station.
"I have ordered an inquiry into the case by the Crime Branch unit," Maria said.
According to preliminary reports, Shirke was absent on Friday, though he was assigned night duty.
When Shirke was reprimanded by his senior officer Joshi for "irresponsible behaviour", he allegedly opened fire at him.
"He fired at least five rounds, of which, three hit Joshi's back and abdomen, while one hit Aher's thigh," the police official said.
"We have started our investigation but it is too early to to say anything concrete. Statements of those at the station will be recorded for a thorough investigation," Deputy Commissioner of Crime Branch and Mumbai Police spokesman Dhananjay Kulkarni said.
According to hospital sources, Joshi was injured in his upper abdomen and operated upon by doctors, but could not survive.
