Sarlahi police have seized a pistol-like object that Bobby Singh Yadav, a central leader of Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal (JSP-N), was seen firing during a dance at a wedding party.

Police in Saptari said they are recording Yadav’s statement on the incident.

Yadav, however, denied using a real firearm and clarified that the object was a toy resembling a gun. In a social media post, she wrote, “At my maternal cousin’s wedding ceremony in Sitamarhi, a border town in India, I was dancing in the courtyard of a private residence at the request of my siblings. I humbly request that everyone not exaggerate the fire from a toy captured in the video.”

She also claimed the video, filmed while enjoying time with her family, was circulated on social media without context or permission.

The video of Yadav dancing and firing the ‘gun’ has been widely shared on social media.

Superintendent of Police Dhakendra Khatiwada said an investigation has been launched. “A pistol-like object has been seized from Sarlahi. We will send it to the forensic lab for testing,” Khatiwada said, adding that Sarlahi police will now lead the investigation.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Saroj Rai of Sarlahi said the suspected ‘gun’ seen in the video was recovered from a house in ward 2 of Malangawa Municipality. “We will send it for forensic analysis,” he said.