In a shocking incident at Mai Bhago Law College in Usma village in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, a first-year law student shot dead his female classmate inside a classroom before turning the gun on himself on Monday morning. The tragedy unfolded just before lectures began and was captured on the college’s CCTV cameras.
Prince Raj, 20, a resident of Mallian village and law student, shot 19-year-old Sandeep Kaur of Naushehra Pannuan in the head. Sandeep died on the spot, while Prince was rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar in critical condition. Initial reports suggesting his death were later corrected, with authorities confirming that he remains under medical supervision.
CCTV footage shows students chatting as the classroom gradually filled up. Sandeep was seated at the back with a friend when Prince approached, sat nearby, and spoke briefly with her. Moments later, he took out a pistol from his backpack, fired at her at close range, and then turned the weapon on himself. Other panic-stricken law students rushed out of the classroom, while some attempted to help Sandeep, who was found motionless.
Preliminary investigations point to a personal dispute. Sandeep’s mother, Harjinder Kaur, a widow and the sole breadwinner of her family, alleged that Prince had been harassing her daughter for several months. She said he had proposed to Sandeep on February 8 during Valentine’s Week, which she rejected. According to her, the culpable law student had earlier visited their home and issued threats, and returned to the college on Monday carrying a firearm.
Police are investigating how Prince procured the weapon and whether it was licensed to his father, a security personnel posted outside the state, or obtained illegally. His father’s mobile phone was found switched off following the incident.
Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba said a “friendship angle” was being examined in the case. He added that the mobile phones of both students had been seized and sent for forensic analysis to determine the nature of their relationship and the events leading up to the shooting. Statements of classmates, teachers, and college staff are also being recorded.
Post-mortem examination revealed that a .32-bore bullet fired at Sandeep’s forehead had penetrated nearly eight inches into her skull. Both the accused law student and the victim were first-year students in the same class.
Investigators have also learnt that law student Sandeep was allegedly engaged to another man. Her family claimed that Prince had repeatedly tried to contact her and had followed her home on one occasion.
Following the incident, Sandeep’s family initially refused to perform her last rites, demanding strict action and justice. Advocate Rakesh Raman Kumar, representing the family, said they had hoped her education and future career would help them overcome financial hardship, but those dreams were shattered by the incident.
An FIR has been registered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Arms Act. Additional police personnel have been deployed on the college campus, and a forensic team has examined the scene. Authorities are also reviewing security arrangements at the institution after questions were raised over how a student managed to bring a firearm into a classroom.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and that all possible angles, including the source of the weapon and any prior threats, are being thoroughly examined.
