Thaindian News

Mumbai, Nov 7 (IANS) A Mumbai deputy commissioner of police - embroiled in the controversy over the death of three protesting farmers in Pune in police firing - Monday suffered an injury on his left hand while practicing with a rifle in suburban Ghatkopar.

Sandeep Karnik, who is facing a magisterial inquiry after the Maval firing in Pune in August, sustained an injury to his left hand while practicing with a rifle at a firing range in Ghatkopar eastern Mumbai, police said.

“DCP Sandeep Karnik was injured while practicing with a new M5 short range at the Ghatkopar firing range,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Sanjay Shintre told reporters.

Karnik is currently posted in the Special Branch of the city police and also heads the Quick Response Team created to combat terrorism and deal with emergencies.

“He shot a bullet at the target and his left hand finger was injured due to a strong jerk from the weapon that pushed him back,” Shintre said.

He was taken to Bombay Hospital for first aid.

On Aug 9, three farmers were killed in police firing during an agitation. Karnik came in the line of fire as he was then Superintendent of Police (Pune rural) and in charge of security during the Maval agitation.

He had then sought transfer to Mumbai via a letter to Director General of Police Ajit Parasnis saying that he wished to be moved out as he believed the people may misread his continuance in his present posting as a hindrance to the probe into the police firing.