An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of police allegedly opened fire with his licensed firearm during a land dispute in Bilalkhedi village, Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday, 17 August, killing one person and leaving two others critically injured. The accused, ASI Dilip Prajapati, posted in Shajapur district, was detained by police as he attempted to flee the scene on a motorcycle.

How the Violence Unfolded

The incident, according to police sources, stemmed from long-standing tensions over land measurement between two groups in Bilalkhedi. On Sunday afternoon, the dispute escalated into a heated physical altercation, with both sides exchanging abuses and blows. Amid the chaos, Prajapati allegedly discharged his licensed 12-bore gun, with one shot striking a man in the chest and killing him on the spot. Two others sustained critical injuries in the firing.

The injured were initially taken to a Primary Health Centre before being referred to Shujalpur hospital given the gravity of their condition. The body of the deceased has been sent for post-mortem examination.

Accused Detained, Case Registered

Officers from the Talen police station reached Bilalkhedi after receiving information about the shooting and intercepted Prajapati as he attempted to escape. His licensed firearm was seized on the spot. A case has since been registered against him under charges of murder and attempted murder.

Authorities confirmed that Prajapati is under interrogation to determine whether he was a direct party to the land dispute or had intervened for other reasons. Rajgarh Superintendent of Police Amit Tolani has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

Video Goes Viral, Outrage Grows

A bystander captured the firing on video, and the footage spread rapidly on social media, drawing sharp public attention and intensifying pressure on the police department to act. The viral clip has become a focal point of community outrage, with residents demanding accountability from law enforcement.

The family of the deceased remains inconsolable, while relatives of the injured have called for strict action against the ASI. Notably, this incident raises serious questions about the misuse of licensed weapons by serving police personnel in personal or civil disputes.

Security Deployed, Probe Underway

Tension continues to grip Bilalkhedi village, with police forces deployed in and around the area to prevent further unrest. Preliminary findings suggest the dispute was rooted in land measurement disagreements, though investigators are probing whether Prajapati had any personal stake in the matter beyond what is currently known. The episode has left the community shaken and demanding accountability from the very institution entrusted with their safety.