Bride Shot During Varmala Ceremony in Buxar, Named Attacker Before Being Shifted
In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, an 18-year-old bride was shot during her varmala ceremony in Chausa, under the Mufassil police station limits of Buxar district on Tuesday night. The victim, identified as Aarti Kumari, daughter of Nandji Mallah, is currently undergoing critical treatment on a ventilator at a hospital in Varanasi, as confirmed by police officials on Wednesday.
Details of the Attack
The tragic event unfolded at Mallah Tola in Chausa Nagar Panchayat. Aarti Kumari was on stage exchanging garlands with her groom when the attack occurred. Eyewitnesses reported that a masked man suddenly climbed onto the stage and opened fire. The loud music at the wedding venue initially masked the sound of the gunshot, but panic quickly ensued when Aarti collapsed moments later.
Guests immediately noticed she was bleeding from her abdomen. She was first rushed to Sadar Hospital in Buxar for emergency care. Due to her critical and deteriorating condition, she was later referred to a more advanced medical facility in Varanasi. Doctors have stated that she remains on ventilator support, fighting for her life.
Victim Names Attacker
Before being shifted to Varanasi, Aarti Kumari allegedly named the attacker, telling her family members that “Dinbandhu shot me.” Family members have identified the accused as Deenbandhu, a neighbor who they claim was involved in a one-sided relationship with the victim. They asserted that Aarti did not reciprocate his advances, leading to this violent act.
Her marriage had been arranged with a man from Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh. Locals revealed that the accused had allegedly been pursuing Aarti for nearly two years. They further claimed that after her marriage was fixed earlier, he harassed the groom’s family, which resulted in the cancellation of a previous wedding arrangement.
Family and Police Response
The accused’s father, Ramashankar Chaudhary, stated he was unaware of any alleged relationship between his son and the victim. Meanwhile, police from Mufassil Police Station promptly reached the spot and launched a thorough investigation. Additional SHO Chandan Kumar indicated that preliminary findings suggest the incident may be linked to a personal dispute.
Authorities have initiated raids to arrest the absconding accused, Deenbandhu. The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting concerns over personal safety and community tensions in the region.
