A 21-year-old Shoolini University student created panic by firing seven aerial shots in three seconds near Ochchghat on Thursday afternoon, following a dispute with a junior student. Police apprehended the accused shortly after the incident and seized the licensed pistol.
SP Solan Gaurav Singh identified the accused as Dharmraj alias Dharma, son of Raju Kumar, a resident of Samastipur, Bihar. The victim was Aditya Kumar, son of Rajballi Shah, a resident of Haryana and student at Shoolini University.
According to police, the incident stemmed from an altercation on Wednesday when senior students, including Dharmraj, allegedly visited Aditya’s rented accommodation and engaged in heated arguments and verbal abuse. Following the confrontation, Aditya’s father and family members arrived in Solan and lodged a complaint with the university management.
The university administration called both parties for mediation at 2:00 pm on Thursday. When Aditya, his father Rajballi Shah, and other family members reached near Dream Villa Hotel for the meeting, Dharmraj snatched the licensed pistol from Rajballi Shah and fired aerial shots. No injuries were reported in the incident.
A police team arrested the accused soon after he fled the scene and recovered the weapon. Police have registered a case under sections 304 and 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 25 of the Arms Act. Investigation into the matter is ongoing.
The incident has raised concerns about student safety and conflict resolution on campus, with the university administration’s mediation attempt ending in a dangerous escalation involving a firearm.
