It was an accidental fire that claimed the life of retired inspector and SHO Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa, who died of a gunshot wound at his Ekroop Avenue house located on Majitha road two days ago.

Initially, it was suspected that he committed suicide, and the police began an investigation into the matter.

He was cremated in his native village Chhichhrewal in Gurdaspur district on Saturday. Randhawa had retired while posted with the city police about four years ago. He remained a member of the Special Task Force constituted by the Punjab government headed by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

According to the police investigation, he was moving his gunman’s assault rifle aside when it accidentally went off and hit him. He died on the spot.

Vinod Kumar, SHO, Sadar police station, said the police have started an investigation.