All India Hindu Mahasabha vice-president Sadhvi Deva Thakur has been booked for the death of a woman in celebratory firing during the engagement ceremony of the victim’s nephew in Karnal, Haryana. A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was registered against six others in connection with Tuesday’s incident that left four people injured, including an 11-year-old girl.

Investigators said that 30 rounds were fired by Thakur and her associates during the function. Sumit Bhatia, manager of the venue, said Thakur and her associates started firing indiscriminately during the ceremony. “As soon as the firing started, we called the police as this is not allowed. In the meantime, one of their pistols got stuck. While rectifying it, a shot was fired causing injuries to those present,” he told The Indian Express.

While the groom’s aunt died in a hospital, the girl is believed to be in critical condition, The Times of India reported. Charges of attempt to murder and sections under the Arms Act were also imposed against the self-styled godwoman and her associates. Thakur had attended the function since the groom was one of her followers.

Superintendent of Police Pankaj Nain said, “There were various kinds of weapons. Investigations suggested one of the associates was carrying a .12 bore gun which developed some snag. While fixing the fault, the person had kept the fingers on the trigger and the gun went off as he closed the chamber. The pellets hit Sunita and others.” He said the police had conducted raids at various places, but the accused were still absconding.