Student Arrested After Firing Outside Shoolini University; Police Recover Licensed Weapon

Panic erupted near Shoolini University in Solan on Thursday afternoon when a 21-year-old student fired multiple rounds into the air outside Dream Villa on the Ochhghat–Sultanpur Road, sending students and locals scrambling for safety. No one was injured in the incident, which was captured on mobile phones and rapidly went viral on social media. Within minutes, Solan police arrested the accused, identified as Dharm Raj, alias Dharma, a student from Samastipur, Bihar, and seized the firearm—a licensed pistol belonging to another student’s father.

The gunfire stemmed from an escalating rivalry between groups of students. On November 19, senior students allegedly barged into the rented accommodation of first-year BBA student Aditya Kumar from Haryana, verbally abused him, and threatened him. Aggravated by the incident, Aditya’s father, Rajballi Shah, arrived at the campus that night with family members and lodged a formal complaint with the university administration.

To resolve the dispute, the university scheduled a meeting between the two groups on Thursday at 2 p.m. at Dream Villa, a popular student hangout near the campus. As both parties gathered, Dharm Raj—one of the seniors involved in the earlier altercation—allegedly snatched the licensed pistol from Rajballi Shah’s holster and fired several rounds into the air. Police described the act as an impulsive escalation rather than a targeted attack.

Also Read: Delhi 10/11 Probe: Pakistan Handler Sent Bomb Videos to Delhi Blast Mastermind

Solan Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh confirmed that the accused attempted to flee but was apprehended almost immediately by a police team patrolling the area. The pistol has been sent for forensic examination. A case has been registered against Dharm Raj under Sections 304 (snatching) and 109 (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 25 of the Arms Act.

The incident occurred just hours after a separate shooting in the Una district left one person dead and two injured, amplifying public concern over firearm-related violence in Himachal Pradesh. Shoolini University, a prominent private institution known for attracting students from across India, has faced scrutiny in the past over hostel and off-campus safety issues.

Responding to the episode, the Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister stated that strict action will be taken against those involved and warned that no one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Authorities have assured intensified patrolling around educational institutions and promised stronger measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Also Read: PM Modi Embarks on Diplomatic Mission to G20 Summit in South Africa