In a shocking turn of events on August 20, 2025, in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, a Class 9 student—angered after being slapped by his physics teacher—returned to school carrying a hidden gun in his lunchbox. The teacher, Gangandeep Singh Kohli, was shot in the shoulder but survived after emergency treatment.
The Incident
The student, identified as Samarath Bajwa, smuggled a country-made pistol inside his tiffin box and fired at the teacher as he was exiting the classroom following a midday break. The bullet entered near the back and lodged in the neck; it was successfully removed after emergency surgery, and the teacher’s condition is now stable.
Legal Action & School Response
Police swiftly detained the student and filed an FIR under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (attempt to murder). The weapon was seized, and an investigation into how the minor accessed it is ongoing.
In protest, the Udham Singh Nagar Independent School Association ordered the closure of all CBSE-affiliated and recognized private schools in the district. Teachers observed a “Black Day,” participating in a silent march from Ramleela Ground to the SDM’s office to demand enhanced safety protocols for educators.
Court Speaks: “Are We Going West’s Way?”
The Uttarakhand High Court took notice of the incident during a suo motu hearing on broader law-and-order issues. The justices raised concerns about the state’s growing “gun culture”, especially as they reviewed similar cases such as election-related shootings and kidnappings.
The court learned that the student likely acquired the gun from his father, who was out on bail with prior convictions. DGP Deepam Seth confirmed that over the past three years, around 1,550 illegal-arms cases were registered and 3,000 weapons seized—yet sources of illegal arms remained unchecked.
Uttarakhand authorities were instructed to transfer the case to the CBCID, devise a concrete action plan, and enhance training for investigators. The next hearing is scheduled for September 12, 2025.
Editorial Perspective
This tragic incident underscores how reactive discipline, such as a slap, can spiral into extreme outcomes when paired with emotional distress and ready access to weapons. Schools must strike a balance between enforcing discipline and nurturing empathetic environments where students feel heard and supported.
Moreover, the case reveals a deeper issue: the widespread availability of illegal firearms in society. No school’s security protocols can be truly effective unless weapon access is curtailed at its roots.
In short, the lesson here is twofold:
- Schools must adopt compassionate responses and emotional support systems alongside disciplinary actions.
- Policymakers and law-enforcement must clamp down on illegal arms trade to ensure school safety is meaningful—and not just symbolic.