Bhubaneswar: A 50-year-old businessman was arrested on Thursday by Astaranga police in Puri district on charges of firing gunshots as a mark of celebration during his relative’s wedding on Monday. The accused was identified as Sushant Kumar Das. Police took action after a video surfaced on Thursday showing Das’s dangerous conduct.
It took place at Nagar village under Astaranga police limits when Das fired two shots in the air during the ‘barat’. Investigations revealed that Das’s pistol licence expired a month before the incident.
“Accused Das was attending his relative’s wedding ceremony when he brandished his pistol during the barat procession. Without any concern for public safety, Das fired two rounds into the air, causing panic among the guests and nearby residents,” a police officer said.
After the video of the incident went viral on social media, local residents informed Astaranga police. “Upon investigation, we discovered that Das’s firearm licence expired last month, making the possession and use of the weapon illegal. His illegal firearm has been seized. He was booked under relevant sections of the Arms Act and BNS for endangering public safety and illegal possession of firearms,” the police officer said.