She then places the gun above her head and fires
An Indian bride has gone on the run after she was seen firing a gun at her wedding.
The wedding is believed to have taken place at a guest house in the Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh.
In the video, the bride and groom are sitting on the stage following the exchanging of garlands.
A man in a black shirt, who is said to be one of the bride’s relatives, makes his way onto the stage and stands next to the bride.
He then pulls a revolver from his waistband and hands it to the young woman, who seemed to be expecting it.
She then places the gun above her head and fires four times before handing the firearm back to the man. A man is seen in the background laughing at the celebratory gunfire.
Meanwhile, her new husband continues to look straight ahead.
The video was reportedly shared online by one of her relatives.
It quickly attracted police attention, who filed a case against the Indian bride, identified as a 23-year-old woman named Ragini.
Additional Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar said:
“The matter is being investigated thoroughly.
“A case was registered against a bride for flouting norms related to celebratory firing after she fired four times in the air from a firearm during her wedding on Friday.”
Hathras, U.P., 2023#WomenEmpowerment #ABLANARI
Are Indians without a gun licence allowed to use guns @Uppolice @kpmaurya1 @myogiadityanath @dgpup @hathraspolice @dm_hathras ??
Please investigate such incidents@NCMIndiaa @realsiff @Das1Tribikram @RajNgc @KirenRijiju pic.twitter.com/UFgJRgowWT
— Lady Of Equality ???????? (@ladyofequality) April 9, 2023
Fearing arrest, Ragini has now gone on the run.
Girish Chand Gautam, Station House Officer of Hathras Police Station, said:
“A case has been registered against Ragni, a resident of Hathras Junction area, under IPC section 25(9) (celebratory gunfire).
“Fearing arrest, she has absconded.
“We are on the lookout for her. We are also trying to identify the person who handed over the pistol to the bride.”
The firearm’s licence holder has also had a case registered against them.
SHO Gautam added: “Whoever uses a firearm in a rash or negligent manner or engages in celebratory gunfire so as to endanger human life or safety of others shall be punishable with an imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to rupees one lakh, or with both.”
Celebratory gunfire during weddings is common in some parts of India, however, it has led to injuries and even death.
According to Indian law, anyone who uses a firearm “in a rash or negligent manner or in celebratory gunfire”, putting others in danger, could face a jail term or a fine or both.