Girl refuses to marry trigger-happy guy

Firing in a barat (wedding procession) for the macho effect may be fine. But at times, things can get out of hand.

That’s precisely what happened in a village in Greater Noida (GNDA) bordering Delhi on Saturday where a band member was killed and the happily-ever-after story ended even before it began because the girl refused to marry into a trigger-happy family.

GNDA SP Surendra Verma told the media that Vishwajeet Sharma’s barat was readying for departure at Devta village in Dankaur area when his rather elated and inebriated friends started firing in the air to express joy. One of them lost control and a bullet from his double-barrel gun caught dhol (drum) player Sanjiv, 30, who died on the spot. The groom’s friend Narendra, 24, was injured.

As word of the tragedy reached the house of the bride, Mamta (not real name) was furious and refused to marry Vishwajeet, saying she did not want to have anything to do with people who would kill someone while making merry. She refused to review her decision despite an extended round of coaxing and explaining by her family members. SP Verma said the suspected killer was absconding.