Chhattisgarh Police Issues Show-Cause Notice to Rajnandgaon SP Ankita Sharma Over Viral AK-47 Firing Video

Raipur, October 22, 2026: The Chhattisgarh Police Headquarters has issued a show-cause notice to Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma, a 2018-batch IPS officer, after a video of her firing an AK-47 rifle during a Vijayadashami Shastra Puja ceremony went viral, prompting questions over weapon-handling rules, safety protocol and the conduct expected of a senior police officer.

The controversy stems from an incident on October 20 at the Police Lines in Rajnandgaon, where the annual weapon-worship ritual was held on the occasion of Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra. In the video that spread widely on social media, Sharma, dressed in a saree, is seen firing several rounds from an AK-47 into the air after the ceremony. Rajnandgaon Range Inspector General of Police Ajay Yadav said the headquarters had taken serious cognisance of the matter and found that the act was not in line with police weapon-handling rules.

According to Yadav, Sharma has been asked to explain her conduct, and once her reply is received, he will record his observations and forward the case to Police Headquarters. “Further action will be taken in accordance with the directions received from there,” he said. Some reports suggested that the explanation was sought within three days. The headquarters also took note of negative commentary on the viral video, saying the remarks had raised concerns about safety and the dignity of the police force.

The footage quickly sparked a wider debate over ceremonial firing, police discipline and the limits of traditional observances. Former Army officer Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon (Retd) criticised the act, describing it as “dangerously incorrect” and saying that “all aspects of safety of weapon handling” appeared to have been violated. He pointed out that the loaded weapon was being pointed in different directions, that people in the background appeared visibly alarmed, and that a service weapon had been used for what he termed an unauthorised act while the officer was in non-authorised dress. He added that the basic drills taught in training academies were not followed and warned that such handling could result in death or injury to the officer or others. Dhillon called for appropriate disciplinary action.

Retired IPS officer RK Vij told PTI that Shastra Puja is meant for worshipping weapons rather than firing them, and said such firing carries the risk of accidents and should be avoided. An anonymous IPS officer said that ceremonial firing during Shastra Puja in the state traditionally involves blank rounds, locally called “awazi kartoos,” and not live ammunition. Concerns were also raised that even bullets fired into the air can come down and endanger people nearby. Army veteran Colonel Deepak Kumar also described the act as reckless and unprofessional.

The social media reaction, however, was not uniformly critical. Some users defended Sharma, arguing that the firing was part of traditional observances and noting that she is a trained IPS officer. Others suggested that some of the criticism was tied to her attire. A separate video also showed Rajnandgaon Additional Superintendent of Police Kirtan Rathore firing an AK-47 after Sharma. Reports said similar post-ritual firings by police personnel were also seen in other districts, including Raipur, Bilaspur, Raigarh, Durg, Kabirdham and Bastar.

Ankita Sharma is a Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer who secured All India Rank 203 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2017 on her third attempt. Originally from Durg, she is popularly known in the state as “Lady Singham” for her policing style. Her previous postings included anti-Naxal operations in Bastar, serving as SP of Khairagarh, where she was reported to be the district’s first woman SP, and later Sakti, before taking charge as SP Rajnandgaon.

The disciplinary process is still underway, with the next steps depending on Sharma’s explanation and the subsequent review by senior officers. The case has brought renewed attention to the tension between ritual practice and official procedure, especially when service weapons are involved in public ceremonies.