Pune: A casual joke among friends turned into a violent altercation when a youth shot his friend in a fit of rage during a gaming session. The incident, which left one injured, took place on Wednesday (January 15) night at around 9:30 PM in the open ground in front of Jumbo Beer Shop near Sinhgad Campus, Dabhadi, Ambegaon.

According to the Bharti Vidyapeeth Police, the injured, Karan Gajarmal (19), and his friends Nilesh alias Babya Santosh Jadhav (21) and a minor boy were sitting together, chatting and playing a mobile game.

A joke between Nilesh and Karan escalated into a heated argument. In a moment of anger, Nilesh pulled out a country-made pistol and shot Karan. The bullet struck Karan, leaving him injured.

Karan, who works as a salesman, was rushed to the hospital for treatment, and the police promptly arrested Nilesh. Investigations revealed that Nilesh, who works occasionally as a delivery boy, possessed the country-made pistol illegally. The authorities are probing the source and purpose behind Nilesh acquiring the weapon.

The court has granted two days of police custody for Nilesh to facilitate further investigation. Police Sub-Inspector Nilesh Mokashi is leading the inquiry into the case.