'Mentally unstable' undertrial snatches rifle from cops in Nimhans; killed in commando operation

Bengaluru: An undertrial who was brought to the country’s top mental health institute Nimhans, snatched a rifle from an escort policemen and fired 23 rounds randomly. However, he succumbed to bullet wounds after a counter-attack was launched by commandos. The undertrial, identified as Vishwanath, succumbed to the bullet wounds in a nearby hospital. “Injured #NIMHANS prisoner operated upon. Despite the best efforts, he succumbed to the injuries sustained during commando operation,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner N S Megharik tweeted. [caption id=“attachment_2394970” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Police officials during the operation at Nimhans. PTI image[/caption] The 22-year-old Vishwanath, who was said to be “mentally unstable”, was brought to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans) from the Parapanaagrahara central prison on the city’s outskirts for treatment. He was taken to the guardroom for completing hospital formalities when he requested the policemen to remove the handcuffs so that he could use the toilet, and they complied. As he came out of the toilet, he snatched the rifle and fired indiscriminately at the ceiling and floor, Megharik told reporters. Police officials and the hospital staff present there tried to overpower him but were unsuccessful. The police officials managed to lock him in one of the rooms and immediately evacuated the staff and patients from nearby rooms. Personnel from the commando force “Garuda” were rushed to the spot and they cordoned off the area. Efforts were made to persuade Vishwanath to give up the gun, which included trying to get him to talk to family members. “He did not even listen to his brother, who called him on his mobile,” Megharik said. After all attempts at negotiation failed, the commandos then stormed the room and fired back at him. This resulted in Vishwanath sustaining serious injuries in the chest. He was then rushed to a hospital, Megharik said. The police commissioner said Vishwanath, who was allegedly involved in a case of murder and arson, was mentally unstable and was regularly brought to NIMHANS for treatment. PTI