A first-year law student was shot dead inside a classroom at a private college in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district on Monday after a male classmate allegedly opened fire following months of one-sided pursuit, police said. The accused later attempted suicide and remains in critical condition in hospital.
The victim, Sandeep Kaur (19), died on the spot after being shot inside a classroom on the upper floor of Mai Bhago Law College. The accused, identified as Prince Raj (20), a fellow student and resident of the same village, suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar, where he is undergoing treatment in the ICU.
Police said preliminary findings suggest the weapon used in the crime was illegal. An FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder, along with sections of the Arms Act. Both students’ mobile phones have been seized as part of the investigation.
According to investigators, the shooting took place shortly before classes began. CCTV footage from the classroom shows Prince seated alongside Sandeep and another student. Moments later, he allegedly stood up, pulled a pistol from his bag, fired at Sandeep, and then shot himself before collapsing on the floor. Other students fled the room in panic.
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Family members of the victim said Sandeep had been facing persistent harassment from the accused for nearly three months. Her sister told police that Prince had repeatedly approached Sandeep with romantic advances, which she consistently rejected. About a week before the incident, he reportedly went to her house with a marriage proposal while family members were away, but was turned back.
Relatives said Sandeep, who aspired to become a judge, had recently been engaged and was distressed by the accused’s behaviour, including alleged stalking.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Jagbir Singh said the accused fired at Sandeep inside the classroom and then turned the weapon on himself. Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police Surinder Lamba said teams are examining CCTV footage and forensic evidence to establish the sequence of events and motive.
Sandeep’s mother, Harjinder Kaur, accused college authorities of withholding critical information when they first contacted the family. “They told us she was injured, not that she had been shot,” she said, adding that she found her daughter dead upon reaching the campus. She also questioned how a student was able to bring a firearm into the college.
Police have deployed additional personnel on campus and called in a forensic team. Investigators are probing how the accused procured the weapon and managed to carry it into the classroom undetected.
Officials said statements of students, faculty members and family members are being recorded. The case has renewed concerns over campus security and the growing number of violent incidents linked to stalking and rejected relationships.
Authorities said further action will follow once the accused’s medical condition stabilises and detailed forensic reports are received.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
