Police in Chikkamagaluru have registered a suo motu case against BJP Yuva Morcha president Jeevan after a video allegedly showed him firing five rounds into the air during Ayudha Puja celebrations in a densely populated residential area.
The incident took place in Kote Extension, where residents reported being terrified after hearing gunshots. The video, reportedly recorded by Jeevan’s associates, later circulated on social media and came to the notice of Chikkamagaluru Town police.
According to police, Jeevan allegedly used a double-barrel gun and a revolver during the incident. The firing took place in a residential locality, where the use of firearms without permission is prohibited and can endanger people living, walking or travelling nearby.
Police have booked Jeevan under various sections of the Arms Act for negligent firing in a public place and for conduct that allegedly endangered human life. The case was registered suo motu, meaning the police initiated proceedings after taking note of the video rather than waiting for a formal complaint from a resident.
A senior police officer said the firearms used in the incident would be examined and that further legal action would follow the investigation. “We have registered a case after the video came to our notice. The firearms used will be examined and further legal action will be initiated. Investigation is underway,” the officer said.
The police are also expected to question Jeevan and verify the licences connected to the firearms. The authorities have said that firing into the air in a residential area without permission is illegal and poses a serious threat to public safety. The investigation will examine the weapons involved and the circumstances in which they were used.
The incident has brought attention to the safety risks created when firearms are discharged during public or private celebrations in neighbourhoods. In a densely populated urban setting, bullets fired into the air can travel beyond the immediate gathering and create danger for people in surrounding homes and streets. Residents of the Kote area said the gunshots caused panic and raised concerns about how such activity took place in a residential locality.
The case also highlights the enforcement responsibilities attached to licensed firearms. Possession of a licensed weapon does not by itself permit firing in a public place, and police verification of the relevant arms licences will form part of the ongoing proceedings.
Jeevan was not available for comment when the report was published. Chikkamagaluru Town police said the investigation was continuing, with questioning, examination of the firearms and licence verification forming the next steps.
