26-year-old woman shot dead at religious ceremony in Shimla, 1 arrested

SHIMLA: A 26-year-old woman was shot dead during a religious ceremony in a village in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla district, police said on Monday, adding that one person has been arrested in connection with the incident. The deceased has been identified as Ritika (26), a resident of Andhra Village in Rohru, Shimla. The incident took place on Sunday during a consecration ceremony of a newly constructed temple of a local deity in Kulgaon village. Police said that while people were dancing, the accused fired a shot — prima facie as part of the celebrations. The bullet struck Ritika, killing her on the spot, after which the आरोपी fled the scene, police said. Police reached the village soon after receiving information and recovered the body. Crucial evidence was collected from the spot, and the weapon used in the incident was also seized, officials said. Following a search, the accused was taken into custody, they added. Shimla SSP Gaurav Singh said a case under Section 103(1) of the BNS and Section 25 of the Indian Arms Act has been registered at Chirgaon police station.