Raipur, October 22, 2026: Chhattisgarh Police Headquarters has issued a show-cause notice to Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police (SP) Ankita Sharma, a 2018-batch IPS officer, after a video of her firing an AK-47 rifle during a Shastra Puja ceremony on Vijayadashami spread widely online. According to the report, the department is examining whether the act breached weapon-handling rules and safety norms, while also taking note of the negative social media reaction around the incident.
The episode took place on October 20 at the Police Lines in Rajnandgaon during the customary Shastra Puja held on Vijayadashami (Dussehra). In the video, Sharma, wearing a saree, is seen firing several rounds from an AK-47 into the air after the ritual. Rajnandgaon Range Inspector General of Police Ajay Yadav said the headquarters had taken serious cognisance of the matter and found that the firing was not in line with police weapon-handling rules, prompting the request for an explanation from the SP.
Yadav said he would review Sharma’s response, record his observations and send the file to Police Headquarters. He added, “Further action will be taken in accordance with the directions received from there.” The report also said that some accounts mentioned a three-day timeline for the explanation, and that the headquarters was concerned by comments around the viral clip that questioned safety and discipline.
What the criticism focused on
The video led to debate over ceremonial firing, safety procedures and police protocol. Former Army officer Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon (Retd) publicly described the handling in the clip as “dangerously incorrect” and said “all aspects of safety of weapon handling” appeared to have been violated. He pointed to the loaded weapon being directed in different ways, the reaction of people in the background, the use of a service weapon for what he called an unauthorised act in non-authorised dress, and the apparent failure to follow basic drills taught in training academies. He said such conduct could lead to death or injury and called for disciplinary action.
Retired IPS officer RK Vij told PTI that Shastra Puja is meant for worship of weapons, not firing them, and said such firing can cause accidents and should be avoided. An anonymous IPS officer said that ceremonial firing during Shastra Puja in the state traditionally uses blank rounds, locally called “awazi kartoos,” rather than live ammunition. Concerns were also raised that rounds fired into the air can fall back and create danger for people nearby. Army veteran Colonel Deepak Kumar described the act as reckless and unprofessional.
Supporters and wider reaction
Some social media users defended Sharma, arguing that the act was part of a traditional observance and pointing to her training as an IPS officer. Others suggested that the criticism was influenced in part by her attire. The report also said a separate video showed Rajnandgaon Additional Superintendent of Police Kirtan Rathore firing an AK-47 after Sharma. Similar post-ritual firing videos by police personnel were reported from Raipur, Bilaspur, Raigarh, Durg, Kabirdham and Bastar.
Ankita Sharma is a 2018-batch IPS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre who secured All India Rank 203 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2017 on her third attempt. She is originally from Durg and is popularly known in the state as “Lady Singham” for her policing style. Her previous postings included anti-Naxal operations in Bastar, SP of Khairagarh, where she was reported as the district’s first woman SP, and Sakti, before taking charge as SP Rajnandgaon.
The Police Headquarters’ action is still under process, with the next step depending on Sharma’s explanation and the subsequent review. The case has brought renewed attention to the line between ceremonial customs and safety protocols, especially when senior police officers handle service weapons in public.
