Ghazipur (Uttar Pradesh), November 14, 2026: An Army Havildar was arrested after allegedly carrying out celebratory firing with a licensed firearm during a wedding procession in Ghazipur district, injuring two youths with pellets. The incident occurred late on the night of November 12–13 in Durkhushi (also reported as Durkusi/Durkhursi) village under Mardah police station.
According to police and local reports, the wedding was between Amit Kumar, a resident of Mudasari village under Dullapur police station area, and Priyanka, daughter of Ramkunwar Ram of Durkhushi village. During the baraat (wedding procession), around 11:45 pm at the time of the dwar puja ritual, the groom’s brother, Manoj Kumar Ram (40), a Havildar serving in the Indian Army, is alleged to have fired his licensed 12-bore double-barrel breech-loading (DBBL) gun.
The pellets injured two youths present at the venue:
- Saurabh Ram (20), son of Dileep and a resident of Devkathia under Jangipur police station, sustained pellet injuries in the waist.
- Tinku Ram (18), also referred to as Sunny, son of Subba Ram and a resident of Dhurehra, suffered pellet injuries to the hand.
Both injured persons were shifted to the District Hospital in Mau. Their condition was reported as stable, and they were subsequently referred to Varanasi for further treatment. The wedding ceremonies were completed the same night despite the incident.
Mardah police reached the spot promptly upon receiving information. Havildar Manoj Kumar Ram was taken into custody, and his licensed DBBL gun was seized. An FIR was registered under relevant sections on the basis of a complaint by the Mardah Station House Officer, Inspector Anil Kumar Singh. Police have also initiated proceedings for cancellation of the arms licence.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Atul Kumar Sonkar confirmed the sequence of events, stating that information regarding the celebratory firing during the baraat was received, the accused was taken into custody, the licensed weapon was seized, the injured were stable, and a case had been registered with steps underway for licence cancellation. Ghazipur Police’s official account also confirmed the detention, seizure of the licensed DBBL gun, registration of the case, and the referral of the licence cancellation report.
In one account, the groom’s elder brother, Ashok Kumar, claimed the firing was accidental, stating that the trigger was pressed inadvertently while money was being taken out of a packet. Police, however, have treated the matter as negligent celebratory firing.
Celebratory firing with licensed or unlicensed firearms during weddings remains a recurring law-and-order concern in several parts of Uttar Pradesh and has frequently resulted in injuries. Authorities have reiterated that such acts constitute a violation of arms laws and public safety norms.
Further investigation is underway.
