Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Nabin Jain has been booked for allegedly engaging in celebratory firing during a Ram Navami procession in Odisha's Titlagarh town.
Videos of the incident were widely shared online, leading to Jain's booking under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.
Jain initially dismissed the episode as a 'playful' act, claiming the pistol used was a toy gun, but police confirmed the firearm was licensed and registered in his name.
The firing took place on Friday evening when a large Ram Navami procession was passing through Titlagarh town, with hundreds of devotees and supporters gathered along the route.
Police said a sub-inspector lodged a complaint after coming across the videos, which showed Jain waving a flag before firing into the air.
Celebratory firing is prohibited under the Arms Act due to the risk it poses to public safety, police said.
