A video from Bihar’s Jamui district involving two teenagers has put women’s safety and self-defence back in the spotlight.
On 19 September, a Class 10 girl and her male friend were allegedly stopped and harassed by a group in Jamui. The girl was allegedly groped and sexually assaulted, while the boy was assaulted. Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act, formed an SIT and arrested several suspects.
Days later, former Army officer Khushboo Patani posted videos about self-defence. She demonstrated a CO2-powered air pistol and urged women to learn how to handle such equipment responsibly.
But what does Indian law actually allow when someone is attacked? And where does self-defence end?
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Who Is Khushboo Patani?
Khushboo Patani is the elder sister of actor Disha Patani and a former Indian Army officer who served for more than a decade before retiring as a Major. She later moved into fitness, wellness and counselling, and regularly shares videos about physical and mental well-being.
Self-defence has also featured in her social media content before the Jamui incident.
In January 2026, Patani spoke about women carrying items such as pepper spray for protection while discussing the Ankita Bhandari case.
Her latest posts have brought that conversation back into focus.
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Why Is She Showing Air Pistols?
On 28 September, Patani shared a video demonstrating a .177-calibre CO2 air pistol.
She said women could consider learning to use an air pistol for self-defence and encouraged them to train at a shooting range. She also said such equipment should only be used responsibly and in an extreme situation.
Patani described the pistol as CO2-powered, meaning it uses compressed carbon dioxide rather than conventional gunpowder. She also discussed factors such as weight, handling and training.
Her message followed her earlier reaction to the Jamui case, when she questioned women’s safety and called for strict action against those accused in the incident.
She has also spoken about pepper spray as a self-defence option in earlier videos.
The key point, however, is that owning or carrying a self-defence device does not automatically give someone the right to use it in every confrontation.
So, What Does Indian Law Say About Self-Defence?
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which came into force on 1 July 2024, recognises the right of private defence.
Section 34 says an act done in the exercise of this right is not an offence. Section 35 allows a person to defend their own body, or another person’s body, against offences affecting the human body.
But there are limits.
Section 37 says the right of private defence cannot be used to cause more harm than necessary for the purpose of defence. It also sets out situations where the right does not apply.
The law becomes more specific when the threat involves serious offences.
Section 38 says the right of private defence of the body can extend to causing death to an attacker in certain circumstances, including an assault carried out with the intention of committing rape, subject to the restrictions in Section 37. Section 40 says the right begins when a reasonable apprehension of danger arises and continues while that danger continues.
This means self-defence is linked to the immediate threat. It is not a general legal permission to attack someone because they appear suspicious or threatening.
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What About Air Pistols?
Air weapons are also covered by India’s Arms Rules.
The Ministry of Home Affairs says air weapons with muzzle energy exceeding 20 joules or 15 ft-lbs and/or a bore exceeding 0.177 inches or 4.5 mm fall under licensing requirements. Lower-specification air weapons are treated differently, although their sale and transfer are subject to rules involving authorised dealers and buyer identification.
So, whether a particular air pistol requires a licence depends on its specifications. Calling every CO2 air pistol either completely legal or completely illegal would be inaccurate.
There is another distinction between possessing a device and using it. Even where possession is lawful, using it against another person outside the circumstances permitted by private-defence law can create criminal liability.
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Why The Bigger Safety Debate Matters
The discussion around Patani’s videos comes as several recent cases have raised fresh concerns about sexual violence.
In Delhi’s Kalkaji area, a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped inside Aastha Kunj Park by three men who allegedly posed as police officers. All three were arrested, according to Delhi Police.
Earlier in September, a 16-year-old girl in Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar was allegedly gang-raped and murdered. Police apprehended four people in connection with the case.
Another case involved a 17-year-old girl who was allegedly raped inside a sleeper bus travelling from Greater Noida to Delhi. The case raised questions about the implementation of safety measures for passenger buses.
These cases are different in their circumstances, but they feed into the same wider question: how can women and girls be protected before violence occurs?
Self-defence training and safety tools can form one part of that conversation. But they do not replace policing, safe public spaces, functioning emergency systems, investigation and prosecution.
As of March 2026, the Union Home Ministry said the latest published NCRB Crime in India report covered 2023, and noted that police and public order are primarily State subjects.
That leaves the debate broader than what someone should carry in a handbag.
The question is also about whether women should have to prepare for violence in the first place, and how effectively institutions respond when that violence is reported.
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TL;DR | News At a Glance
Who is Khushboo Patani?
Khushboo Patani is Disha Patani’s elder sister and a former Indian Army Major who now works in fitness and wellness.
Why is she talking about self-defence?
Her latest videos follow the September 19 Jamui case involving the alleged harassment and sexual assault of a Class 10 girl. She had also spoken about pepper spray and women’s safety earlier in 2026.
What did she demonstrate?
She demonstrated a .177-calibre CO2 air pistol and urged women to seek proper training before using such equipment.
Is self-defence legal in India?
Yes. Sections 34–40 of the BNS recognise private defence, but the force used must remain within the legal limits, particularly the restrictions in Section 37.
Can anyone legally own an air pistol?
It depends on the weapon’s specifications. Certain higher-energy or larger-bore air weapons require a licence under the Arms Rules.
Why has the debate grown?
Recent cases in Delhi and Bihar, including alleged gang rape and sexual assault involving minors, have renewed questions about women’s safety, policing and prevention.
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