Man opens fire at nephew by mistake, shoots himself

A man who had gone hunting in a forest near his village allegedly opened fire at his own nephew mistaking him for an animal and shot himself dead on realising his mistake, an official said today.
The incident occurred in a remote village called Rusan in Tharali area of Chamoli district late last evening when Govardhan Lal had gone hunting in the forest adjoining his village, SDM Tharali Anoop Nautiyal said.
As he heard some movement behind the bushes he thought it could be that of a wild animal and opened fire in the direction.
However, when he went close he was shocked to find that the bullet had hit his own nephew Darshan Lal, Nautiyal said.

Apparently overcome by grief and a strong sense of guilt, Govardhan immediately shot himself dead, he said.
His nephew Darshan Lal has been admitted to a government hospital in Karnaprayag where his condition is said to be out of danger, theofficial said.