Ludhiana: Groom booked for celebratory firing at pre-wedding event

Firearms are prohibited at wedding palaces and banquet venues, and police are now examining whether the hotel management had noticed the weapon or attempted to stop Kholsa from carrying it inside.

An FIR has been registered against a man who allegedly fired shots in the air from his licensed firearm during his pre-wedding function at a hotel on Humbran Road, PAU police said. During the investigation, seven empty bullet shells were seized from the spot.

Seven bullet shells have been recovered, say police.

The accused has been identified as Pranav Kholsa of Ashok Nagar near Ludhiana bus stand. The FIR was registered on the complaint of assistant sub-inspector Bhupinder Jaggi. According to the complaint, police received information that in the early hours of August 22, Kholsa allegedly opened fire in the air during the function, putting the lives and safety of people present at the venue at risk. A police team reached the hotel and recovered seven empty shells from the spot.

Inspector Amritpal Singh, SHO of the PAU police station, said the preliminary investigation revealed that Kholsa was the groom and had allegedly used his licensed firearm to fire the shots during the celebration. A case has been registered against him under Section 125 (act endangering life or safety) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 27 of the Arms Act. The accused has not yet been arrested.

Inspector Amritpal Singh said the police were verifying the circumstances under which the accused managed to bring the firearm into the premises. Action will be taken against the hotel management if it is found that the rules were deliberately flouted, he added.