An Indian bank security guard shot his manager over disputes regarding salary and leave, using a firearm registered and managed by the bank.
According to Indian media reports on March 17, a salary and leave dispute escalated into a deadly tragedy on Monday afternoon in a bank in Uttar Pradesh—a security guard, after a heated altercation with the branch manager, shot and killed him.
The victim was identified as Sharma, 34, from the Patna area of Bihar, who had been serving as the branch manager since August 2025.
According to police, the suspect, Huda, 45, a former army personnel, had been in ongoing disputes with Sharma in recent days over leave and salary issues.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:45 p.m. Investigators revealed that Huda arrived at the bank on a motorcycle with his accomplice, Shishpal, instructing Shishpal to wait outside while he entered the bank. Upon entering, Huda retrieved the bank-registered firearm, which was stored according to regulations under a gun license, and went straight to the manager’s office. The two erupted into another fierce argument over the leave issue. Moments later, Huda fired the gun at close range, hitting Sharma in the chest.
The sudden gunshot caused panic among bank staff and customers. Sharma collapsed, bleeding heavily, and colleagues rushed to his aid. At the time of the incident, there were five employees in the bank. Amid the chaos, the suspect Huda calmly walked out of the bank and fled the scene on a motorcycle with his waiting accomplice. Surveillance footage at the bank entrance captured Huda leaving with another man, followed by bank employees carrying the injured manager out.
The bank staff immediately transported Sharma to the hospital on a motorcycle, but he succumbed to his injuries en route.
Police subsequently arrested Huda and his accomplice, Shishpal. Assistant Police Commissioner Rai stated that preliminary investigations revealed the suspect harbored resentment after being denied leave and being dissatisfied with his salary. He said: "The leave dispute had been ongoing for some time, and the suspect committed premeditated murder."
Police disclosed that the day before the incident, Sharma had scolded Huda over the phone for failing to report for duty. Sunday is a bank holiday, and Huda informed the manager that he would be unable to come to work on Monday due to an emergency. However, when he still didn’t show up on Monday, Sharma called demanding that he report to work immediately, which may have triggered Huda’s violent response.