However, family members of the deceased have demanded stringent action against the guard, who has been booked on charges of murder.
"Security guard Dharmendra Yadav (45) was today arrested on charge of murdering Bharat Lal Dewangan," Korba Additional Superintendent of Police Tarkeshwar Patel said.
The incident took place last night in Singhali coal project area of SECL under Bakimongra police station area, he said.
"During the interrogation, Yadav claimed that he saw a man (Bharat) trying to steal some crap from the project premises, following which he opened fire, which accidentally hit the victim," the ASP said.
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Subsequently, his brother Ganesh rushed Bharat to SECL hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead, he said.
Based on the complaint by Ganesh, Yadav was booked under IPC Section 302 (murder), the ASP said adding further probe is on.
Meanwhile, Ganesh claimed that he had sent a dhaba worker to mines office to deliver meal ordered by some officials there. When the workers did not return after a long time, he had asked Bharat to go and inquire about him.