In a shocking incident stemming from a petty argument, two BTech students have been arrested by the Sarnath police in Varanasi for allegedly opening fire on their friend. The victim, who sustained a bullet injury, is currently fighting for his life in a private hospital.
Dispute in Car Leads to Gunfire
The sequence of events unfolded on Saturday in the Sarnath area. According to police, the accused, identified as Akash Yadav and Akhil Pandey, were travelling in a car with their friend Sonu Singh and two other companions. A minor dispute erupted between Akhil Pandey and Sonu Singh during the journey. The situation escalated rapidly when Sonu reportedly hurled a taunt at Akhil.
In a reckless response, Akhil is alleged to have used a country-made pistol to fire at Sonu. The injured Sonu Singh, a resident of Kushinagar district, was swiftly rushed to a private hospital in the Maldahiya area for emergency treatment.
Swift Police Action and Arrests
Acting on information about the gunshot injury, Sarnath police station in-charge Shivanand Sisodiya led a prompt investigation. By Sunday, the police team had successfully apprehended the two primary accused, Akash Yadav and Akhil Pandey, from the Hasanpur–Sinhpur underpass.
Following their arrest and based on information provided by them, the police conducted a search near Hasanpur village. The investigation led to the recovery of the country-made pistol used in the crime, which had been discarded in some bushes. Authorities have confirmed that the search for two other youths involved in the incident is ongoing.
Pistol Originally Bought for Wedding Celebrations
During initial interrogation, a startling revelation came to light. Akash Yadav, a resident of Ramgarh in Chandauli and a BTech student at an institute in Lucknow, confessed to purchasing the firearm. He disclosed that he bought the pistol from one Mayank Yadav in Ghazipur for Rs 25,000.
His stated intention for the purchase was to perform celebratory firing at his sister's upcoming wedding. Instead, the weapon was used in a violent altercation among friends, leaving one critically wounded and the others facing serious criminal charges.
The case highlights the grave dangers of illegal firearm possession and celebratory gun culture, which often leads to tragic consequences. It also raises concerns about easy access to weapons among students. The police investigation continues as they work to apprehend the remaining suspects and build a solid case against the arrested individuals.
