Video: Punjab student shoots classmate dead, was upset over her engagement

A shocking incident of gun violence unfolded at Mai Bhago Law College in Punjab’s Tarn Taran on Monday, where a male student allegedly shot and killed his woman classmate inside a classroom before turning the gun on himself. The man allegedly shot the woman after she repeatedly turned down his marriage proposals.

The entire episode was captured on the college’s CCTV cameras.

The accused has been identified as Prince Raj, a resident of Mallian village, while the victim was identified as Sandeep Kaur, a student from Naushehra Pannuan village, located around 12 kilometres from the scene of the crime.

Police said Sandeep Kaur died on the spot, while Prince Raj sustained a gunshot injury to his head and is currently critical, undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The CCTV footage showed that Prince Raj entered the classroom with a bag slung over his shoulder shortly before classes were to begin.

He briefly spoke with Sandeep Kaur and another woman student before the three moved to seats at the back of the classroom.

Moments later, Prince Raj stood up, opened his bag, pulled out a pistol, and shot Sandeep Kaur at point-blank range. He then turned the gun on himself. Panic ensued as students fled the classroom.

The motive behind the crime has begun to emerge following statements from Sandeep Kaur’s family. Her mother and sister told India Today that Prince Raj had been harassing Sandeep for several months and had visited their home two to three times to propose marriage.

The family said Sandeep had repeatedly rejected him, stating that she wanted to focus on her studies. She was engaged to another man for the past three months, a development that reportedly upset Prince Raj deeply.

Manpreet Kaur, Sandeep’s elder sister, said the accused had issued threats in the past.

"On Friday, he told her, 'If you can’t be mine, I won’t let you be anyone else’s'. After two days, he shot her," she said, adding that the incident occurred while Sandeep was speaking to her on the phone.

The family further alleged that Prince Raj’s behaviour was obsessive and one-sided.

"He would stare at her every day and say he liked her. She told him about our family’s circumstances and that we had no father, but he didn’t listen," Manpreet said.

Police suspect the pistol used in the shooting belonged to Prince Raj’s father, who previously served in the CRPF.

The incident has raised serious questions about how the weapon was accessed and how it was brought onto the college campus.

The family has also questioned the absence of the college principal following the incident and demanded accountability for lapses in campus security. Sandeep Kaur’s body has been sent for post-mortem.

Further investigation is ongoing with CCTV footage and witness statements being closely examined, police said.