Groom booked for celebratory firing during wedding

Agra: A 24-year-old bridegroom was booked on Wednesday for allegedly firing a gun in the air while on horseback during his wedding procession in UP’s Aligarh district, after a video of the celebratory firing surfaced on social media two days later.

Following the registration of the case, the groom absconded, leaving behind his newly-wed bride, police said.According to police, the incident took place on July 6 in Kaimthal village under Gonda police station limits. The purported video showed the accused, Kapil (only first name available), a farmer, firing a gun in the air while seated on a mare. The clip was widely shared on social media, prompting police to take suo motu cognisance.

After verifying the footage, police identified the accused.In his complaint, Gonda police station sub-inspector Satyabhan Singh alleged that the celebratory firing was a “rash and negligent act that endangered public safety.” Police also found that the firearm used in the incident was a licensed weapon belonging to a resident of the same village.An FIR has been registered under BNS section 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and section 30 of the Arms Act. SHO Balender Singh said the accused has been absconding since the case was registered and teams are conducting raids to trace him and the weapon’s owner.