Back-to-Back Wedding Tragedies: Bride Shot in Bihar, Child Shot in UP
Two separate wedding-related firing incidents in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar left a 9-year-old boy and an 18-year-old bride critically injured, sparking serious safety concerns.
Two shocking firing incidents at wedding-related events have raised serious safety concerns in different parts of North India.
On 19 February, a 9-year-old boy, Reyansh Soni, was shot in the jaw during celebratory firing at a wedding procession in Bulandshahr. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.
According to CCTV footage, a 16-year-old boy, Krishna Verma, son of Robin Verma, was seen firing shots in the air using his father’s licensed pistol during the pre-wedding procession. Neighbours had reportedly warned the group not to fire in the narrow street, especially since many people were standing on rooftops, but the warnings were ignored.
At the same time, Reyansh was playing nearby when one of the bullets struck his jaw. The CCTV video shows his father, Himanshu Soni, carrying his unconscious son on his shoulders while people around looked shocked. Reyansh is currently on ventilator support and is reported to be in a coma.
Reyansh’s uncle has alleged that Krishna’s father was encouraging the teenager to continue firing. Police have registered an FIR and say the licensed pistol has been seized, although Reyansh’s family claims the weapon has still not been recovered. Several days after the incident, both Krishna and his father remain missing. Photos from outside their home show wedding decorations still hanging, but the house is locked.
In another disturbing case, a bride was shot during her wedding ceremony in Chausa on the night of 24 February.
The victim, 18-year-old Aarti Kumari, daughter of Nandji Mallah, was on stage for the jaimala ceremony with groom Avinash, who is from Ballia district. The wedding procession had arrived around 11 pm.
During the ceremony, a girl believed to be Aarti’s sister applied vermillion on the groom’s forehead and then moved toward Aarti. At that moment, a masked man fired a shot at Aarti. Because of loud music, many people did not immediately realise what had happened, but within seconds Aarti collapsed on the stage and the attacker fled.
The bullet hit her in the stomach near the navel, creating panic at the venue. Some people on stage tried to keep her conscious while others ran for safety.
Aarti was first taken to Sadar Hospital for initial treatment and later shifted to the trauma centre in Varanasi for advanced care. Doctors described her condition as life-threatening. She underwent surgery and is currently on ventilator support.
While being taken to the hospital, Aarti reportedly said that “Deenbandhu shot me.” Locals and family members identified the accused as Deenbandhu Chaudhary, a neighbour who lived near her house.
According to the family and locals, he had been interested in Aarti for about two years, but she did not reciprocate. They also alleged that an earlier marriage proposal for Aarti was cancelled after he harassed the previous groom’s family. Police said the accused had earlier been jailed in a liquor-related case.
Deenbandhu is currently absconding, and police have detained his father, Ramashankar Chaudhary, for questioning. After the incident, groom Avinash’s family returned to their village and said they would not proceed with the marriage.
Aarti’s father has expressed deep concern about her health and future, saying the family is worried about what lies ahead once she recovers.
