Wealthy landowner’s son terrorises residential area by firing shots in Bhopal

BHOPAL: Panic gripped the Sheetal Paradise Apartment complex located in Ayodhya Nagar past midnight on March 31, after four youths in a brand new SUV fired three rounds into the air using an expensive licensed 12-bore rifle.

The accused fired rounds to create panic and assert dominance in a residential area and fled the spot after the firing. The incident led to a state of alarm among the residents.

Acting on the complaint, Ayodhya Nagar police registered a case and traced the accused using CCTV cameras and technical expertise. Police found that the youths came to visit a friend living in the apartment complex.

During their visit, they parked the SUV near the temple inside the complex. They saw some families roaming in the area and, without any reason, brandished a 12-bore gun and opened fire in the air.

SHO Ayodhya Nagar Mahesh Lilhare said that Gurprasad Sachan, 65, a resident of Rajiv Nagar, the on-duty security guard at the complex, reported the incident to the police.

He stated that a black SUV stopped near a dhaba outside the apartment complex. Three to four young men exited the vehicle, appeared to be joking among themselves, and later drove into the complex.

After parking the SUV near the temple, they pulled out a 12-bore gun from the vehicle and fired three shots into the air, then fled the scene.

SHO Lilhare said that following the complaint, police accessed CCTV footage from the apartment and surrounding areas and identified the suspects.

All four were arrested, and the police seized the 12-bore licensed rifle, three empty cartridges, and the SUV used in the incident. The accused have been identified as Aniket Thakur, 24, a resident of Rhythm Park, Bangrasia; Raj Thakur, 24, also a resident of Rhythm Park, Bangrasia; Aman Dubey, 23, a resident of Fortune Divine City, Misrod; and Sajal Raghuvanshi, 21, a resident of Saket Nagar.

SHO Lilhare said that the main accused, Aniket Thakur, is the son of a wealthy landowner from Manakpur village in Raisen district. He owns several vehicles and runs a travel business.

The 12-bore rifle used in the incident was registered in his name, and the SUV also belongs to him. Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.