10-Year-Old Girl Dies After Suspected Stray Bullet Injury During Dussehra Festivities in Bhopal

A tragic incident occurred in Rajharsh Colony, Kolar, on Thursday afternoon when a 10-year-old girl, Riya Rajak, died under mysterious circumstances near a tableau (Jhanki) pandal. Riya, the daughter of Sunil Rajak—a water supply worker—was a Class 4 student.

According to police, the incident took place around 12:30 pm when Riya was playing with other children near the pandal. She suddenly collapsed, and onlookers noticed a deep wound between her left shoulder and neck, from which blood was profusely bleeding. The child was immediately rushed to a private hospital, where doctors administered half a unit of blood in an attempt to save her. Despite their efforts, she succumbed to her injuries.

Family members said they were busy preparing for a bhandara at the pandal when the tragedy occurred. They have not expressed suspicion against anyone, stating that they are simple working-class people with no known enmity.

Preliminary investigation suggests that someone may have been test-firing a weapon during the Dussehra festivities when a stray bullet struck the girl. Police are investigating the case and tracing local residents who possess licensed firearms to identify the weapon holder.

Authorities have registered a case and launched an intensive search to find the person responsible for the firing. Notably, this is the second such incident reported this year. Earlier, on January 13, a teenage girl in Berasia locality was injured by a stray bullet fired by an unidentified person while she was collecting clothes on her house terrace.

The incident has sparked concern among residents over public safety during festive celebrations involving weapons.