Meerut Wedding Celebration Turns Tragic After Stray Bullet Injures Woman
A joyous wedding celebration in a Meerut village descended into chaos and despair on Wednesday night when a 21-year-old woman was critically wounded by celebratory gunfire. The incident occurred during the baraat ritual for the daughter of Sunil Kumar, a resident of Batta village, at Fakharpur Kabatta in the Kharkhoda area.
Panic Erupts as Bullet Strikes Rooftop Spectator
As the wedding procession, accompanied by music and dancing, reached Ambedkar Park, local residents—including women and children—rushed to their rooftops to witness the festivities. Amid the revelry, an unidentified member of the baraat began firing a weapon. Jeshika Singh, a 21-year-old villager watching from a rooftop, was struck by a stray bullet that grazed her neck before exiting through her shoulder.
She collapsed immediately, sparking widespread panic and bringing the celebrations to an abrupt halt. Jeshika was swiftly transported to a private hospital in Meerut, where she remains in critical condition, fighting for her life.
Police Register FIR and Deploy Forces to Maintain Harmony
The woman's family filed an official complaint against the unidentified culprit, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). The FIR names an "unknown person" and includes charges under BNS section 125, which addresses rashness or negligence endangering human life or personal safety, along with provisions of the Arms Act.
Given that the incident involves members of two different communities, authorities took proactive measures to prevent any escalation. Circle Officer Pramod Kumar Singh from Kithore arrived at the scene with a heavy police force to ensure harmony and order in the area.
Police Issue Warning Ahead of Wedding Season
In response to this alarming incident, outgoing SSP Meerut Vipin Tada emphasized the need for vigilance. "In the backdrop of this incident and the onset of the wedding season, we have instructed all local police stations to maintain a close watch on marriage processions to prevent similar cases," he stated.
This directive aims to curb the dangerous practice of celebratory gunfire, which has repeatedly led to injuries and fatalities during festive occasions across India. The police are actively investigating the case to identify and apprehend the individual responsible for the shooting.
