Gurgaon echo in MP, student guns down junior

Unlike the shootout in a private school in Gurgaon last month, this incident involved students of a Government school. Rahul was apparently waiting for Dharmu, who was to reach school to take his half-yearly examination, outside the school premises. It’s unclear if he carried the katta with him to the school or procured it when he went out during the five-minute break. Rahul, whose regular classes were on, did not return after the break.

Rahul fired only once, but the injury proved fatal as the school authorities had no means to take Dharmu to the district hospital. When students informed him about the firing, principal Shivpal Manji went to the nearest police station on his motorcycle. It took about half an hour for the police to reach the school and by the time Dharmu was taken to the district hospital it was too late.

“Except admitting that he had a fight with the victim last year, Rahul is yet to spell out his motive,” District Collector Manish Rastogi told The Indian Express.

Rahul claimed the katta belonged to Dharmu and the shooting was accidental. Police claimed Rahul was lying because his father Munna Singh owns a weapon and has a bad reputation in the area where it’s common for the upper castes to dominate those belonging to the lower castes.

The victim used to stay with a relative. His mother alleged that the school authorities were irresponsible and did not even bother to send a teacher with her wounded son. She said Dharmu had complained to her that Rahul had been bullying him for the past few days.

The police have registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC against Rahul and recovered the weapon. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident.