Rajnandgaon: A video of Ankita Sharma, a 2018-batch IPS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, firing an AK-47 rifle during a Vijayadashami Shastra Puja ceremony has sparked controversy on social media. Sharma, who serves as the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Rajnandgaon district, is seen wearing a traditional saree and firing several rounds after the ceremonial worship of weapons at the police lines.
The video has drawn criticism from retired Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon, a former senior Indian Army officer, who questioned the apparent weapon-handling practices, firearm safety precautions and professional discipline shown in the footage. He called for appropriate disciplinary action over what he described as irresponsible conduct.
The controversy has also prompted a response from Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, who said the government would take cognisance of the matter, according to media reports. The incident has brought renewed attention to the safety requirements associated with ceremonial firearm use and the responsibilities of officials entrusted with government-issued weapons.
What Happened During the Vijayadashami Shastra Puja Ceremony?
The incident took place during a traditional Shastra Puja ceremony organised at the Police Lines in Rajnandgaon on the occasion of Vijayadashami. Police personnel and senior officers participated in the event, during which weapons and vehicles were worshipped as part of the traditional observance.
A video circulating on social media shows Ankita Sharma holding an AK-47 rifle and firing into the air after the ceremony. According to media reports, she fired nine rounds.
The footage quickly gained attention online, with reactions divided between those who viewed the firing as part of a longstanding ceremonial practice and those who questioned the safety precautions followed during the event.
Shastra Puja is observed by several police and military establishments on Vijayadashami. The tradition involves worshipping weapons and equipment as symbols of duty, preparedness and professional responsibility. However, the ritual itself does not require firearms to be discharged, and any firing must be assessed in the context of applicable safety procedures and official rules.
Reports also noted that Rajnandgaon Additional Superintendent of Police Kirtan Rathore was seen firing an AK-47 in a separate video. Similar footage of police personnel participating in ceremonial firing was reported from other districts of Chhattisgarh, including Raipur, Bilaspur, Raigarh, Durg, Kabirdham and Bastar.
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KJS Dhillon Criticises Weapon Handling and Safety Precautions
Retired Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon raised several objections in a post on X, questioning the manner in which the rifle was handled and the safety measures followed during the firing.
Dhillon, who previously commanded the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, argued that the footage appeared to show serious shortcomings in basic weapon-handling practices. He also questioned whether the use of a service weapon during the ceremony complied with the applicable authorisation and dress requirements.
His principal concerns included:
1. Questions Over Firearm Safety
Dhillon described the weapon handling visible in the footage as dangerous. He stressed the importance of following basic safety principles when handling firearms, particularly in situations where other people are present.
2. Concerns About the Direction of the Rifle
The former Army officer questioned the directions in which the rifle appeared to be pointed. He argued that the handling shown in the video raised concerns about compliance with basic firearm safety procedures.
3. Safety of People Present at the Ceremony
Dhillon also referred to people visible in the background, claiming that some appeared frightened. He raised concerns about the risks that unsafe firearm handling could pose to people attending the event.
4. Questions About Authorisation and Official Conduct
Dhillon questioned whether the service weapon had been used for an authorised purpose and whether the circumstances complied with the relevant requirements for official duty.
He also objected to the attire worn during the firing, describing the incident as an example of a service weapon being used in an unauthorised activity and non-authorised dress.
These statements represent Dhillon’s assessment of the footage. Whether any official rules were violated would require examination by the competent authorities.
5. Alleged Non-Compliance With Training Procedures
Dhillon said the practices visible in the video did not appear consistent with the basic weapon-handling drills taught at police and military training academies.
Professional firearm training includes not only the ability to operate a weapon but also adherence to safety procedures and responsibility towards people in the surrounding area.
6. Risk of Injury and Loss of Life
Dhillon warned that irresponsible firearm handling could cause injury or death. He argued that safety procedures must be followed regardless of whether a weapon is being used during an operational assignment or a ceremonial event.
He described the episode as a “black demo of authority without responsibility” and called for appropriate punishment in cases of indiscipline to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Other Army Veterans Raise Concerns Over Ceremonial Firing
Dhillon was not the only former military officer to express concerns about the incident.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Singh Sheoran also commented on the video, distinguishing between apparent familiarity with the firearm and the circumstances in which it was used. He questioned the safety procedures and the purpose of firing ammunition into the air during a celebration.
Sheoran argued that ceremonial firing raises safety concerns and that organisers should be accountable for ensuring appropriate precautions.
Retired IPS officer RK Vij also stressed that firing should take place only at a safe location and with adequate precautions. He said the central purpose of Shastra Puja was the worship of weapons, rather than firing them.
An IPS officer quoted anonymously in media reports said blank cartridges, commonly referred to as ceremonial or sound cartridges, were used during Shastra Puja in the state. However, the ammunition used in the specific incident should not be treated as independently verified without an official confirmation.
The discussion has therefore focused on the circumstances of the firing, the applicable procedures and the responsibilities of those organising and participating in such ceremonies.
Who Is Retired Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon?
Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon is a retired senior officer of the Indian Army, also known as KJS “Tiny” Dhillon. He received his commission into the Rajputana Rifles in December 1983 and served in several important operational and leadership roles during his military career.
Dhillon served in sensitive areas, including Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. He also commanded the Army’s 15 Corps, popularly known as the Chinar Corps, headquartered in Srinagar.
Another significant assignment in his career was serving as Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency. He retired from military service in January 2022.
Chhattisgarh Government Says It Will Take Cognisance
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said the government would take cognisance of the matter when asked about the viral video, according to The New Indian Express.
His response came amid growing discussion over the apparent weapon-handling practices and the safety arrangements at the Rajnandgaon ceremony.
As of the reports published on October 21, 2026, the public response included criticism from retired military officers and calls for an assessment of the incident. Any finding regarding a breach of official rules or disciplinary consequences would depend on the competent authorities’ examination of the facts.
Who Is IPS Ankita Sharma?
Ankita Sharma is a 2018-batch IPS officer belonging to the Chhattisgarh cadre. She is currently reported to be serving as the Superintendent of Police of Rajnandgaon district.
She was born on June 25, 1990, in Durg, Chhattisgarh. Her career has attracted attention for her policing assignments, including work in areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism, and for her journey through the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Sharma is also popularly referred to as “Lady Singham” in media coverage and on social media. Her current appearance in the news, however, is related to the controversy surrounding the Shastra Puja firing video and the questions raised about weapon safety.
Ankita Sharma’s Education and Early Life
Ankita Sharma completed her schooling in Durg, Chhattisgarh. St. Xavier Senior Secondary School in Durg is listed as her school in biographical accounts.
Information about her higher education varies across online profiles. Some biographies describe her as having pursued commerce and management studies, including an MBA from Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekananda Technical University, and identify her as an MBA gold medallist. Other published accounts describe her MBA studies differently.
These educational details should be verified against a reliable biography or official profile before being presented as established facts.
Sharma’s early life and educational journey have featured in reports about her entry into the civil services and her eventual selection for the IPS.
UPSC Journey: How Ankita Sharma Secured AIR 203
Ankita Sharma secured All India Rank (AIR) 203 in the 2017 UPSC Civil Services Examination and subsequently joined the 2018-batch IPS in the Chhattisgarh cadre.
Her selection followed multiple attempts at the highly competitive examination. Reports state that she appeared for the mains examination during her first attempt but did not make it to the final selection list. In her second attempt, she was unable to clear the preliminary examination.
She continued preparing and eventually secured a place in the civil services through her third attempt, according to published accounts.
Public Administration is listed as her optional subject in some biographical profiles, although this detail should be independently verified before publication.
Her journey has been covered in the media as an example of persistence through setbacks while preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
It is important to distinguish between the examination year and the batch year: Sharma secured AIR 203 in the 2017 UPSC examination and belongs to the 2018 IPS batch.
Ankita Sharma’s Family and Husband
Published biographical accounts identify Vivekanand Shukla as Ankita Sharma’s husband and describe him as an Indian Army officer.
Some online biographies also identify her father as Rakesh Sharma, a businessman, and her mother as Savita Sharma, a homemaker. These family details are not central to the present controversy and should be checked against reliable sources before publication.
Sharma’s professional career, rather than her private life, remains the principal focus of the current news story.
Ankita Sharma’s Police Career and Postings
After joining the IPS, Sharma began her policing career in Chhattisgarh. Reports identify Bhatapara as one of her early postings, followed by service as City Superintendent of Police (CSP) at Azad Chowk in Raipur.
In May 2022, she was appointed Superintendent of Police of Khairagarh. Media reports described her as the first woman to hold the SP position in the district.
She has also undertaken responsibilities in Bastar, a region affected by Left-Wing Extremism, including work associated with anti-Naxal operations.
Her subsequent posting in Rajnandgaon placed her in charge of district-level policing, law and order and the supervision of police operations.
These assignments have contributed to her public profile as a police officer in Chhattisgarh. The current controversy, however, concerns the firing shown in the Vijayadashami video and the questions raised by former military officers about safety and professional conduct.
Why the Viral Video Has Sparked a Wider Debate
The controversy has highlighted the distinction between the traditional worship of weapons and the actual discharge of firearms during public or official events.
Supporters of the ceremony have pointed to the longstanding practice of Shastra Puja in police establishments during Vijayadashami. Critics, meanwhile, have argued that ceremonial traditions do not remove the need to follow safety procedures and official rules.
The comments by Dhillon and other retired officers have brought firearm handling, public safety and accountability into the discussion. The government’s stated intention to take cognisance has also placed attention on whether the incident will be formally assessed.
The available reports establish that the video circulated widely, that retired officers raised concerns and that the Deputy Chief Minister said the government would take cognisance. They do not, by themselves, establish a final official finding of misconduct.
The episode has therefore become a wider discussion about professional discipline and the responsibility that accompanies the use of government-issued firearms. Any final conclusion about rule violations or disciplinary action will depend on the findings of the relevant authorities.
