The CRPF team on duty at Mayur Vihar Police Station for security checks in the run-up to Independence Day was scheduled to leave around 4 pm, Saturday. Deployed at the police station for the past five days, the paramilitary personnel did leave late afternoon. But without two colleagues — one shot by the other, and the latter admitted in hospital in a critical state.

Head Constable Phool Chand Yadav of the 82nd battalion of CRPF died on the spot, shot allegedly by fellow constable Rajvir Singh in the police station’s bathroom. Rajvir, who the police suspect tried to kill himself subsequently, is admitted in Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.

Officials at the police station said they heard a sudden gunshot at 11.50 am. Rushing to the third-floor bathroom, they found Yadav and Rajvir lying on the blood-covered floor.

Police officials (name withheld on request) said Yadav died instantly; Rajvir was rushed to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. His condition is said to be critical.

Officers said Yadav was carrying an Insas gun, and Rajvir shot him from his SLR gun. An official said it appears Yadav had not opened fire.

Seven bullets were fired in all, officers said.

“The CRPF personnel had come to the police station five days ago, in the wake of Independence Day security checks in the area,” a police official said.

The police suspect personal enmity might have triggered the incident but sources said the incident is being probed from “every possible” angle. “From preliminary investigations it is believed the two got into an argument over some personal issue. Firings were allegedly made in a fit of rage,” said senior CRPF official Ravi Deep Sahi, who came to the Mayur Vihar Police Station to investigate the matter.

Rajvir comes from Shahpur; Yadav was a native of Azamgarh (UP). “Their families have been informed; they are expected to arrive late tonight,” the officer said.

Mayur Vihar SHO Rajinder Gautam said, “We are awaiting ballistic reports; many questions, such as use of weapons, would be clear then.”