Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nabin Jain has been booked for allegedly being involved in celebratory firing during the Ram Navami procession in Odisha’s Titlagarh town on Friday, police said.
Videos of the incident were widely shared online on Saturday, following which he was booked under Section 125 (acts endangering public safety) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, which deal with punishment for illegal possession, manufacture or use of firearms.
Jain had earlier dismissed the episode as a “hilarious” act meant to energize the crowd of devotees, initially claiming that the gun used was a toy gun. However, the police later confirmed that the firearm was licensed and registered in his name.
Abhilash Ji, Bolangir Superintendent of Police, said the shooting took place on Friday evening when a large Ram Navami procession was passing through Titlagarh town.
“Hundreds of devotees and supporters gathered to participate in the procession that started at Radha Krishna Temple and passed through major road intersections, including Shastri Chowk and Old Bank Chowk,” he said.
Amid the celebrations, Jain allegedly fired three bullets into the air at different points along the route, eyewitnesses said.
The police said that a sub-inspector, who was deployed on law and order duty during the procession, lodged a complaint after watching the videos.
Videos circulating on social media showed Jain waving the flag before taking a gun from his personal security officer, Premachand Nag, and firing into the air. He is then seen handing the weapon to Nag.
Nag has been suspended for alleged negligence of duty, police officers said, adding that he has been summoned for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation.
Police said celebratory shooting is prohibited under the Arms Act because of the risk it poses to public safety.
