Constable found dead at US consulate

A police officer from the Gamdevi police station said the incident occurred around 7:30 am. “Vitkare had reported on duty at around 7.30 pm on Sunday night and was posted at the rear gate of the consulate. Another constable,Ramdas Dhule,was on gate duty with Vitkare. As per the security norms,each entry and exit point at the consulate is guarded by two policemen.”

On Monday morning,when Dhule was going to a nearby urinal to relieve himself,he heard what sounded like gunshots. On rushing back to the spot,he saw Vitkare lying in a pool of blood with his service carbine lying near him. Vitkare had suffered two bullet injuries. While one bullet had pierced his skull after entering through his cheek,the another bullet hit him on his right temple. “Dhule immediately informed his superiors about the incident,following which Vitkare was rushed to the nearby Breach Candy hospital,where he succumbed to injuries during treatment. Vitkare’s body has been taken to the JJ Hospital now,” said the official.

Vitkare,a constable from the 2008 batch,hails from Solapur and was staying with relatives at the Mahim police quarters here. His parents in Solapur have been intimated and they are on their way to Mumbai to collect the body.

“Though an accidental death case has been registered at Gamdevi police station,we are making inquiries to ascertain the exact sequence of event and to determine whether it was a suicide or a case of accidental firing. We have not found any suicide note near the body,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II) Anil Kumbhare.

Security officials at the US Consulate refused to comment stating the matter is being investigated by the police. Colleagues in the Local Arms division said Vitkare was supposed to get married in mid-May in his native place at Solapur.