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Magisterial inquiry ordered into fatal celebratory firing in Shimla's Rohru
A 26-year-old Ritika was killed during a 'gun salute' ritual at a pran pratishtha ceremony in Kulgaon, Rohru. The district administration ordered a magisterial inquiry and police arrested two suspects; a case under Arms Act and related provisions has been registered. Protests erupted outside Rohru hospital amid concerns over funeral arrangements and government response.
Why It Matters
The inquiry aims to determine negligence by organizers and identify any lapses by authorities to prevent recurrence of celebratory firing during religious ceremonies.
Timeline
6 Events
Rohru SDM acknowledges lack of funeral vans; ambulance arranged to resolve standoff
April 28, 2026
Rohru SDM Dharmesh Ramotra admitted there was a lack of funeral vans in the sub division. He said officials tried to explain the need for Shimla-based forensic facilities, and an ambulance was eventually arranged to resolve the stand-off.
Protests outside Rohru hospital over death and administration response
April 28, 2026
Residents, mostly women, staged a protest outside Rohru hospital on Monday, alleging administrative collapse. They claimed Ritika's funeral arrangements were mishandled, including a denial of a funeral van to transport her body about 120km to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla, for forensic examination. They also alleged Ritika's body was placed in a pickup truck filled with sand before an ambulance was arranged after a confrontation with officials.
Case registered under Arms Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
April 28, 2026
A case has been registered under Section 103 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act in connection with the incident.
Arrests confirmed: Rajat Sohta and Amit alias Rohit Bhapta
April 28, 2026
Shimla senior superintendent of police Gaurav Singh confirmed the arrest of Rajat Sohta (28) and Amit, alias Rohit Bhapta (32), who had travelled from a nearby village to participate in the ritual. The firearm used has been seized and authorities are verifying its license.
Magisterial inquiry ordered; report due in seven days
April 28, 2026
Deputy commissioner Anupam Kashyap ordered a magisterial inquiry into Ritika's death and the surrounding circumstances. He entrusted the probe to additional district magistrate, law and order, Pankaj Sharma, with a detailed report to be submitted within seven days. The inquiry will examine not only the shooting but potential negligence by event organizers and violations of the Arms Act.
Death of Ritika during pran pratishtha ceremony in Kulgaon, Rohru
April 27, 2026
Ritika, a 26-year-old resident of Andhra village and mother of two, was killed on Sunday, April 27, 2026, during a 'gun salute' ritual at the pran pratishtha ceremony of deity Shalu Maharaj in Kulgaon village, Rohru subdivision. A 12-bore weapon was involved; initial investigation suggests Rajat Sohta fired the weapon before handing it to Amit alias Rohit Bhapta, who had travelled from a nearby village. The firearm has been seized, and its license is being verified. A case has been registered under Section 103 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.