In a harrowing incident on Diwali night, unidentified miscreants fired a bullet at the residence of Varinder Kumar Sharma, a 2009-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, in Chandigarh’s Sector 24. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident raises concerns about celebratory firing in residential areas.
The incident occurred around 11:10 pm on Diwali night when Sharma and his family were in their home. Immediately after the incident, DSP (Central) Gurmukh Singh, DSP (Crime) Udaypal Singh Rawat, SHO PS 11 Inspector Malkit Singh, and a forensic team, including ballistic experts, rushed to the scene. A case has been registered at the Sector 11 police station.
Varinder Kumar Sharma, currently serving as the Managing Director of Punjab Health Systems Corporation and Secretary of Punjab State Human Rights Commission, later shared his account of the incident. “I and my family are safe. I have no animosity with anyone, so that angle is ruled out. I suspect that celebratory firing was going on in one of the residences in the neighborhood, and a stray bullet landed in our bedroom (through the window). We had a proverbial escape,” he said.
The IAS officer expressed relief that no one was harmed but underscored the potential danger of stray bullets during festivities. He suspected that the bullet might have come from celebratory firing in a neighbouring residence.
Police are investigating two possible scenarios — either unknown individuals fired a bullet and fled the scene, or a gunman deputed in the area discharged a bullet from his service revolver while celebrating Diwali. The incident occurred in a well-secured area housing government residences of bureaucrats and judicial officers.
CCTV footage is under scrutiny, and investigators are searching for the empty shell of the bullet. Preliminary information suggests that the bullet may be from a .32 or .38 bore weapon. Sharma denied having received any prior threats.
IAS Sharma, providing additional details about the incident, highlighted the potential danger, stating, “The bullet came near the bed where I was sitting. If it had come through the mirror, it might have been dangerous. I don’t have any personal animosity. Therefore, I don't think someone pointed at me and fired the bullet. I think the bullet came from celebratory firing on Diwali. I have filed a complaint with the police; now it is up to the police.”
Sharma, known for his integrity, has previously served as the Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar and Ludhiana.
