After air pistol episode, police search boys’ hostels at PAU

Nikhil Bhardwaj
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana February 8

After a video of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) student firing from an air pistol after tying a cracker on it went viral on the social media, the city police conducted a search at boys’ hostels in the university for precautionary purpose.

Initially, rumours spread on the varsity campus that a 21-year-old hostler had used original weapon for firing. Later, when the police verified the complaint, it was found that the weapon was an air pistol, which did not attract any criminal offence.

The Station House Officer (SHO), PAU police station, Sumit Sood, said, “The police conducted a search at boys’ hostels No. 4 and 2 just for precautionary purpose today. During search, nothing objectionable or illegal was recovered from both the hostels.”

“We have already checked the weapon, which is seen in the video. It is an air pistol. Student used it after tying some cracker on its barrel, which created a spark and gave an impression that a real weapon has been used. It is not covered under the Arms Act. Hence, no FIR can be registered. Our further probe is still on in the case,” the SHO added.

Director (Students welfare) Ravinder Kaur Dhaliwal said weapon used by the student was an air pistol and easily available in the market. “So far, PAU has cancelled hostel seat of the student and disciplinary committee is still conducting a probe,” she added.

Student’s take on the episode 

“I will initiate legal action  against the person, who is spreading rumours about firing from a weapon,” said Khushpreet Singh, whose video showing him firing from an air pistol went viral on the social media. In a statement he stated: “I Khushpreet Singh, a student of PAU, Ludhiana, want to state that from the past two days me and my family are under mental stress and trauma. Someone with a criminal background is trying to malign my image by lodging false complaints against me and approaching media with frivolous accusations.” “The person is also defaming me in my university and society by sending derogatory remarks about me to the media. This issue has broken me mentally. It has become difficult for me to face the world. I will initiate legal action against this person and his associates, who are involved in the entire incident,” he added.