Azamgarh Man Kills Wife, Two Priests, Dies in Police Encounter After Standoff

A man in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district shot dead his wife and two priests before taking his three children hostage, and was killed in a police encounter after a seven-hour standoff, officials said.

The accused, identified as Arvind Singh, returned home around 6 pm on Tuesday and found his wife, Babita Singh (32), participating in a religious ritual with two priests, Mahendra Pathak (60) and Akhilesh Mishra (50). A verbal altercation broke out, and Arvind allegedly opened fire with his licensed weapon, shooting his wife first and then the two priests.

He then locked himself inside a room with his three children.

Seven-hour siege ends in encounter

According to Naveen Arora, Additional Director General of Police (ADG) of the Varanasi Zone, the police initially exercised restraint as Arvind refused to come out and insisted they wait until morning. The situation escalated when he opened fire from inside the house, prompting the police team to enter.

"Even after a seven-hour siege, the accused refused to come out and kept insisting we wait until morning... Finally, when he opened fire from within, the SSP and three or four members of the Special Operations Group (SOG) team were compelled to break down the door and enter as a last resort," Arora said. "We used stun grenades and tear gas; as the team members, including the SSP, entered, they came under fire and were forced to return fire."

The police rescued all three children and rushed them to a hospital. One child, a boy, had sustained a gunshot wound, which was discovered only after entering the premises. The other two girls were in a state of trauma and suffering from dehydration. Arora said Arvind was using his elder daughter as a shield.

"Arvind and his son died of their injuries during treatment," said Dr Anil Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Azamgarh.

Evidence collection and other legal proceedings are underway.

History of aggressive behaviour

According to the police, Arvind's mother and wife had previously complained about his conduct. "After speaking with villagers, the accused's family members, and an individual who survived the shooting unharmed, the investigation so far has revealed that Arvind was mentally disturbed and exhibited aggressive behaviour," SSP Kumar said. "His mother and wife had frequently complained about him assaulting family members and engaging in such conduct. Distressed by this situation, his mother and wife had organised a religious ritual. They suspected he was under the influence of an evil spirit and arranged the ceremony in the hope of dispelling it."

Arvind objected to the ceremony and was furious over it. When his wife pointed out that he was insulting the priest conducting the ritual, he became enraged and shot his wife and the two priests.

A local resident said five priests had arrived at the house for the ritual. Three managed to flee, while two were killed during the argument.