Youth shot dead during wedding celebration in Rohtas

Sasaram: A 24-year-old youth, identified as Vir Bahadur Singh, was shot dead during a wedding celebration in Dhodhandih village under Suryapura police station area of Rohtas district in the early hours of Saturday.

Police said the incident occurred around 5am during a dance performance by a woman artist. A heated verbal altercation broke out between Singh and his close friend, who had joined him on stage. The dispute escalated rapidly, resulting in the friend allegedly firing three rounds at point-blank range, killing Singh on the spot. Three bullets pierced Singh’s forehead.


Police officers from four neighbouring stations, led by DSP Bikramganj Sindhu Shekhar Singh, arrived shortly after to secure the area. Police recovered a spent shell and the victim’s personal belongings. While the body was sent to Sasaram’s Sadar Hospital for autopsy, and a manhunt is underway to arrest the accused.

Police records revealed that deaths due to celebratory firing, particularly during the wedding season, have become alarmingly common in Rohtas district. Despite repeated directives from the state police headquarters, preventive measures at the local level often remain inadequate, resulting in frequent loss of lives.

On Nov 30 last year, Nandan Kumar Singh, a resident of Chilhar village under Itathi police station area and a teacher posted in Buxar district, was killed during celebratory firing at a marriage function in Thanua village under Sheosagar police station area of the district. The deceased had come to attend his maternal cousin’s wedding. The incident occurred during the ‘jaimala ceremony’. An FIR was lodged against six persons in the case.