• Manjunath Olekar, 67, was about to fire celebration bullets in Shivamogga.
• The rifle shot strayed off-target and hit Vinay U, 34.
• Olekar allegedly used his permitted gun to celebrate the new year.

A New Year’s Eve celebration in the Indian state of Karnataka took a terrible turn when the host passed away from a heart attack after mistakenly shooting one of the guests to death.

Manjunath Olekar, 67, was getting ready to shoot off some celebratory shots at the party on Saturday at his house in Shivamogga city.

However, the shot from the rifle went off-target, striking Vinay U, 34, who was standing next to him.

An investigation into the incident has been opened by the police.

In many parts of India, it is customary to fire off shots into the air to commemorate weddings and other important occasions. Unfortunately, this practice frequently results in unintended fatalities and injuries.

According to police officials, Olekar, who had a licensed gun, allegedly used it to celebrate the start of the new year in years past as well.

GK Mithun Kumar, police superintendent, Shivamogga, told Media that during the party on Saturday, Olekar was loading the gun when he “accidentally pressed the trigger“, shooting Vinay, who was his son’s friend.

“A firearm can be used only in certain circumstances. Not to fire in the air to celebrate,” the police official said.

Vinay was rushed to the hospital after the incident but he died on Sunday evening.

“Following the incident, Olekar went into shock and collapsed,” Mr. Kumar said.

People in Shivamogga were so astonished by the odd situation that even individuals who had never met the businessman visited his home to express their condolences.

“I just felt sad, so I went to pay my homage,” a resident of the city said.

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