Firing by PSO of Himachal minister echoed in Assembly

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today termed the alleged firing by personal security officer (PSO) of Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri at a hotel here as "serious matter", saying a fair probe would be conducted into the matter.
A local youth had received bullet injury in the April 2 incident.
"We are taking the incident seriously, there is no pressure on the government and the law will take its own course," the chief minister said in reply to a calling attention motion moved by Suresh Bhardwaj (BJP).
Singh said on the statement of the injured, Kashish Khanna, at Indira Gandhi Medical College hospital, an FIR was lodged under various sections of IPC and Arms Act.

The main accused Pankaj Sharma along with driver Rakesh Kumar have been sent to judicial custody till April 16 by a local court, he said, adding that investigations are in progress and the PSO and driver have been placed under suspension.
Singh said that another FIR had been lodged into the case against the youths for assault on government servant while on duty.

Earlier, BJP MLA Suresh Bhardwaj said the incident projected the international tourist destination, Shimla, in bad light.
He said it also raised question mark over the behavior of the PSO (a cop) of a minister, who opened the fire over a quarrel on parking in the state-run hospital, thinking that he would get away with it, being PSO of an important man (a minister).

He said the local youth, Kashish Khanna, received severe injuries in his foot.