Maharashtra News: 17-Year-Old Girl Injured In Accidental Shooting At Kelva Resort In Palghar

Palghar: In a shocking incident at the popular tourist destination of Kelva in Palghar district, a minor girl sustained serious injuries after a gunshot was accidentally fired from a pistol inside a resort room. This comes just a week after the suspicious death of a married woman at another resort in the same area, raising serious concerns over safety and regulation in local hospitality establishments.

About The Case

According to police sources, the 17-year-old girl from Boisar had checked into Raut Residency, a private hotel in Kelva, with her boyfriend. While the boy was in the bathroom, the girl allegedly began inspecting his bag and found a pistol inside. She informed police  that she was examining the firearm to determine if it was real when she accidentally pulled the trigger, causing the bullet to strike her in the neck.

She was initially rushed to the rural hospital in Mahim, then referred to Arogyam Hospital in Palghar. Due to the critical nature of her injury, she was eventually transferred to Adhikari Lifeline Hospital in Betegaon, Boisar, where she underwent surgery. Sub-Divisional Police Officer Abhijeet Dharashivkar confirmed her condition is now stable and out of danger.

The incident has once again thrown light on the lax norms followed by many resorts in Kelva, where rooms are allegedly rented to young couples without any proper age verification. Kelva is a well-known tourist destination that attracts thousands of visitors, and many hotels offer swimming pools and other amenities to draw in guests. However, with increasing commercialization, even basic safety checks and legal protocols seem to be ignored.

Authorities have launched a probe to determine the legality of the pistol involved. Police are also in the process of registering a case against the boyfriend. The boy has been taken into custody by the Palghar police. Dharashivkar noted that both the injured girl and the boyfriend were transported to the hospital in the same ambulance, raising suspicions of possible coercion or foul play. Eyewitnesses in the area also reported hearing loud arguments between the couple prior to the shooting.

Locals and activists are now demanding a stringent crackdown on unauthorized and rule-violating hospitality businesses operating in the Kelva region. Concerns are growing, particularly regarding the provision of low-rate rooms to young couples without proper checks, which is seen as endangering guests, especially minors.

This latest incident has put a spotlight on the lack of discipline and accountability in the resort industry. Allowing minors access to rooms, ignoring background checks, and the presence of firearms within hotel premises are alarming lapses that demand immediate police and administrative attention.

Recent incidents have highlighted the urgent need for improved regulation and monitoring of tourist accommodations in Kelva. The unchecked access to hotel rooms and lack of oversight is not only endangering guests but also tarnishing the image of Kelwa as a safe and reputable tourist destination.