Shashi Kant and (above) Awadh Kishore. Telegraph pictures

Patna, July 20: The mystery behind the murder of BJP MLC Ashok Kumar Agarwal’s employee Dheeraj Kumar deepened after the ruling party leader’s second bodyguard Shashi Kant said it was his carbine that accidentally went off leading to Kumar’s death on July 17.

Kant, who is among the three policemen drafted for the security of the controversial MLC, told reporters in Katihar that Kumar was killed because of accidental fire from his carbine. “Hathiyar saaf karne ke kram mei achanak goli chal gayee (the weapon accidentally went off in the course of routine cleaning), Kant said.

He added that he had loaded 15 live cartridges in the magazine of the weapon. Seven bullets were fired, out of which two hit Kumar, who was present in the guardroom. He, however, denied the report that the MLC had snatched his licensed weapon to kill one of his employees.

Earlier, Agarwal’s another bodyguard Awadh Kishore Yadav alias Brahmadeo Yadav had told reporters that Kumar was killed in an accidental fire from his carbine. “There are two claimants of the same carbine, which accidentally went off and two of the seven bullets that were fired from the automatic weapon hit Kumar, who was standing in the guardroom of the MLC,” said the deceased’s brother Neeraj.

Neeraj asked how it could be possible that two policemen were cleaning the carbine at the same time, which went off erroneously. “I am witness to the incident. I had dropped my brother at the residence of the MLC on the fateful day. Before I could leave the spot, I heard the sound of gunshots and found my brother bleeding profusely,” he said.

The MLC was standing beside Dheeraj, who was working as munshi (caretaker) of the noted industrialist for the past four years. “This is why I have named Agarwal as an accused in the FIR. The district police officers are working under political pressure,” he said, adding the family was under shock after the incident.

Kumar’s father Arjun Lal Mahto alleged that he was getting constant threat from the accused. “My son Neeraj’s name figured in a case lodged with the Town police station in connection with road blockade and arson after the murder of Dheeraj,” he said, adding that the family sought personal intervention of the DGP, who had assured that justice would be done to the family.

Acting Katihar superintendent of police Yugal Kishore Sinha said the cops were yet to receive the forensic report. “Unless we receive the FSL report, we are not in a condition to reveal anything in the case,” he told The Telegraph over phone on Friday. He, however, refused to divulge more information.

Sinha said: “The new SP is likely to assume charge today. Once she assumes charge, everything will be revealed,” he said, adding that the issue was unnecessarily blown out of proportion.

Inspector-general of police (Darbhanga zone) R.K. Mishra, who is at present in Delhi for training, said: “Preliminary investigation has revealed that Kumar died because of accidental fire. However, instructions have been issued to inquire into the case from different angles,” he said.