Former Marol Corporator Kamlesh Rai Detained After Gun Misfires at Varanasi Airport
Shiv Sena politician and former Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation corporator from Marol, Kamlesh Rai, was detained at Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport after an accidental firing from his licensed pistol injured two security personnel.
The incident took place at around 9:30 am when Rai was preparing to board Air India Express flight IX-1810 bound for Mumbai with his wife. Rai, a prominent political figure from Mumbai’s eastern suburbs who previously represented Ward 75 (Marol), had approached the airline check-in counter to declare a licensed 7.62 mm pistol along with 21 live cartridges in accordance with civil aviation protocols.
Airport security personnel escorted him to a designated isolated screening enclosure to complete the mandatory physical verification and safety clearance. During the weapon inspection, a single round was accidentally discharged. The bullet ricocheted inside the enclosure, striking two screening officers, identified as Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari.
Both injured security staff received emergency first aid at the terminal before being moved to a medical facility. Recounting the incident from the hospital, Kumari stated that Rai pressed the trigger to demonstrate that the weapon was unloaded, leading to the misfire that hit her in both legs, including the thigh. Raj stated that Rai removed the loaded magazine and pressed the trigger downwards, causing the discharge that injured a finger on his left hand.
Rai was detained on site by local authorities and handed over to the Phulpur police, who have jurisdiction over the airport area. Neetu Kadyan, Deputy Commissioner of Police for Gomti Zone, confirmed that the spot inspection was completed and questioning was progressing to determine whether the misfire was caused by personal negligence or a procedural lapse during weapon inspection.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security also initiated an inquiry into the safety breach and is reviewing CCTV footage and firearm handling procedures at the airport terminal. The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that the situation was swiftly contained and flight operations at Varanasi Airport continued without disruption.
