Woman Shot Dead During Temple Consecration In Shimla; 2 Arrested, Weapon Seized
Woman shot dead at Shimla religious ceremony, 2 arrested.
A 26-year-old woman was shot dead during a religious ceremony in Shimla district, with police arresting two accused in connection with the incident that has sparked outrage over the use of firearms at public gatherings.
The incident occurred in Kulgaon village under the Rohru subdivision during a temple consecration ceremony on Sunday. According to police, celebratory firing allegedly took place while attendees were dancing, and a bullet struck the woman, identified as Ritika, killing her on the spot.
Authorities identified the accused as Rajat Sohta (28) and Amit alias Rohit Bhapta (32), both residents of the Rohru area. Police said the two allegedly fired the weapon during the celebrations and fled the scene immediately after the incident. They were later tracked down and taken into custody following a search operation.
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Police teams reached the village soon after receiving information and recovered the body, while forensic evidence was collected from the site. The weapon used in the firing has also been seized. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act, and further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events.
The incident triggered protests by local residents and the victim’s family, who raised concerns over administrative lapses and the handling of the situation. There was particular anger over reports that the body was initially transported in a private vehicle instead of an ambulance, prompting authorities to intervene and make proper arrangements.
In the aftermath, district officials have moved to tighten regulations, including banning the carrying of weapons at religious and social events. The tragedy has reignited concerns about the practice of celebratory firing, with authorities urging strict compliance with safety norms to prevent such incidents in the future.
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