Baripada, June 8: A 54-year-old policeman, who is part of Mayurbhanj district collector’s security, shot himself allegedly on the head with his service rifle.

The incident took place at the district collector’s official residence.

The deceased, identified as Gopal Chandra Ghosh, is a native of Mundakata within Jharpokharia police station limits of the district.

Four of his colleagues, who were patrolling outside the bungalow, rushed to the guard’s room in the early hours after hearing the sound. The bullet had punctured his head and Ghosh was found lying near the bed in a pool of blood.

He was rushed to the headquarters hospital in the city where he was declared dead. Doctors said that the bullet had pierced through his skull.

The district police claimed that it was a case of suicide and said that the deceased had left a note.

He was heavily indebted and was also mentally disturbed because of diabetes and hypertension. The body of the deceased was handed over to his family members after autopsy.

One of his colleagues, who did not wish to be identified, said that Ghosh was depressed for the past few days.

In the morning, he had gone for a walk and later bought vegetables for his family members, who also live in the town. He had delivered the vegetables to his family members and had returned to the collector’s residence.

As he was a havildar, he used to supervise the work of other security guards and had remained in the guard’s room.

Inspector in charge of the Town police station, Ratikanta Giri, said: “Ghosh killed himself by opening firing from his .303 service rifle. The suicide note left by him says that he was mentally upset due to his ill health. He was has diabetes and hypertension.”

District superintendent of police Nikhil Kanodia, too, said that it was a case of suicide. The investigation reveals it is a case of suicide. The body has been handed over to his family members after post-mortem.