Bihar: In a horrific incident, a bride was shot by a jilted lover during her wedding ceremony in Bihar’s Buxar district. The 18-year-old victim is in critical condition. She is currently receiving intensive care at a hospital in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

The incident took place on Tuesday night in the Chausa Nagar Panchayat area. The victim, Aarti Kumari, was exchanging garlands with her groom when the attacker struck.

Eyewitnesses said a masked man climbed onto the stage and fired at the bride. At first, loud music drowned out the sound of the gunshot. Chaos erupted only after Aarti collapsed. Onlookers soon realised she had a gunshot wound in her abdomen.

Aarti was first taken to Buxar’s Sadar Hospital. Doctors later moved her to Varanasi for specialised treatment.

Bride Identifies Shooter, Family Names Neighbour

According to a Times of India report, Aarti identified the shooter to her relatives. “Deenbandhu shot me,” she told them.

Family members identified the suspect as Deenbandhu, a neighbour. They claim he had been obsessed with Aarti for two years. Aarti had repeatedly rejected his advances. This obsession previously led to the cancellation of another wedding engagement after the suspect harassed the former groom’s family.

However, the suspect’s father, Ramashankar Chaudhary, claimed he knew nothing about a connection between his son and Aarti.

Police Investigation Underway, Raids Launched

Mufassil Police have registered a formal case. Early findings suggest the shooting was a personal vendetta. Law enforcement officers are now conducting raids to catch the fleeing suspect.