RAIPUR/RAJNANDGAON, October 22, 2026 – The Chhattisgarh Police Headquarters has issued a formal show-cause notice to a senior woman Indian Police Service (IPS) officer after a video of her firing an AK-47 rifle into the air during a traditional Dussehra ritual went viral on social media.
The incident involves Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police (SP) Ankita Sharma. The viral video showed the officer, dressed in a traditional saree, firing several rounds from a service AK-47 rifle after performing the ‘Shastra Puja’ (weapon worship) at the Police Lines on October 20, coinciding with Vijayadashami.
Rajnandgaon Range Inspector General (IG) of Police Ajay Yadav confirmed that the police headquarters took serious cognisance of the matter, noting that the act was not in accordance with standard police weapon-handling rules and protocols. Authorities stated that the negative commentary sparked by the viral video was damaging to the dignity and discipline of the police force, prompting the demand for an official clarification from the SP regarding the apparent disregard for safety protocols.
“After receiving the SP’s reply, I will record my observations and forward the matter to the police headquarters. Further action will be taken in accordance with the directions received from there,” IG Yadav added.
The video has triggered an intense online debate over discipline, safety, and the adherence to weapon handling drills. While some social media users, including retired military personnel, sharply criticized the act, others defended it as a ceremonial tradition. Former Indian Army officer K J S Dhillon strongly condemned the incident on social media, writing: “Dangerously incorrect handling of a loaded weapon – All aspects of safety of weapon handling violated… Firing a service weapon for an unauthorised act in a non-authorised dress.” Other veterans pointed out the sheer recklessness of firing weapons in the air, noting that even falling bullets pose a severe injury risk to bystanders.
Conversely, some users came to Sharma’s defense, arguing that she is a highly trained IPS officer and that the tradition of firing blank rounds (‘awazi kartoos’) during Shastra Puja is a common practice across the state. They also claimed that part of the online criticism was unfairly driven by the fact that she was wearing a saree during the act.
Notably, another video featuring Rajnandgaon Additional Superintendent of Police Kirtan Rathore firing an AK-47 post-ritual also surfaced, alongside similar videos from other districts in the state, including Raipur, Bilaspur, and Bastar.
Published by True Roots Media Network