A wedding celebration in Bihar's Buxar district descended into horror on Tuesday night when an 18-year-old bride was shot in the stomach allegedly by a spurned lover, casting a shadow of grief over what should have been the happiest night of her life.
Aarti Kumari was on the wedding stage with her groom, surrounded by family and friends, when the attack occurred at approximately 11 pm. A ritual was underway — a young girl, believed to be Aarti's sister, was applying vermillion to the groom's forehead before turning toward the bride to repeat the ceremony. It was at this precise moment, amid the lights and celebration, that a man standing among the gathered guests raised a weapon and fired.
The bullet struck Aarti in the stomach, near her navel. The festive atmosphere shattered instantly. Guests scrambled in panic, some rushing to keep Aarti conscious while others fled the venue in terror. The groom's procession, which had travelled from Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district specifically for the occasion, turned around and returned home shortly after the incident.
Police have identified the shooter as Deenbandhu, a neighbour of the bride's family. Locals suspect the attack was driven by a one-sided love affair — that Deenbandhu, allegedly harbouring feelings for Aarti, could not accept her marriage to another man.
Deenbandhu remains at large. However, police have detained his parents for questioning and are conducting active raids to track him down. Additional Station House Officer Chandan Kumar confirmed that the accused had previously served jail time in a liquor-related case, suggesting a prior criminal history.
Aarti was rushed to Sadar Hospital immediately after the shooting, where doctors administered first aid before referring her to the Varanasi Trauma Centre given the severity of her injury. As of the latest reports, she remains in critical condition.
This incident reflects a deeply troubling pattern of violence against women who dare to exercise their right to choose a life partner, or whose families arrange unions that others — sometimes dangerous individuals — refuse to accept. The sanctity of one of life's most intimate moments was violated in front of Aarti's entire family and community.
As police intensify their search for Deenbandhu, Aarti fights for her life in a hospital bed, far from the celebrations that were meant to mark the beginning of her new chapter. The case has sent shockwaves through the region and renewed urgent conversations about the safety of women in Bihar and the urgent need to address crimes rooted in possessiveness and entitlement.
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