Madikeri: In a tragic incident, 49-year-old Ponnachettira Mitra Chengappa, lost his life due to an accidental gunshot in Cherambane, Madikeri Taluk, late last night.

Mitra, the proprietor of Mitra Wine Shop, had just closed his shop around 12.30 am and was preparing to head home. Carrying a single-barrel gun for personal safety, he momentarily placed it on his scooter near his wine shop to buy milk from a delivery vehicle that had arrived. In an unfortunate turn of events, the gun slipped, discharged, and struck him in the waist. Despite efforts to assist him, the gunshot proved fatal.

According to the milk van driver Pavan and cleaner Suman, Mitra Chengappa stopped his scooter near their vehicle to buy milk packets. While opening the storage compartment (boot space) of his scooter to keep the milk, the gun, that was kept on the seat accidentally fell, discharging a bullet that struck him in the waist.

People gathered at the place tried to revive him but a heavily bleeding Mitra succumbed to his injuries on the spot. People known to the family informed Mitra’s wife Namratha about the incident.

A case has been registered at the Bhagamandala Police Station and the body has been shifted to Madikeri mortuary.

Mitra was a well-known figure in Cherambane. Further investigation is on.