Varanasi airport pistol discharge accused released on bail

Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, whose licensed pistol accidentally discharged at Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport on Sunday, was released on bail on Monday. Police had booked him under sections 125 and 125 of the BNS for causing hurt endangering life or personal safety. Both sections are bailable, said SHO Rajeev Kumar Singh.

The incident occurred around 9.30 am when Rai, scheduled to fly to Mumbai, declared his firearm at the check-in counter. He was escorted to a designated screening area where, during inspection, a round accidentally discharged. The projectile ricocheted and injured two screening staff, Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari, who are undergoing treatment.

Hindustan Times reports that preliminary investigation found the magazine had been removed but one round remained in the chamber, and the trigger was pressed accidentally. Deccan Chronicle, in an editorial, called the incident a wake-up call for aviation security, questioning why a passenger with a firearm could pass through crowded check-in areas and arguing that CISF should take possession of firearms outside the airport complex.