Azamgarh man kills wife, two priests over ritual dispute; dies in police encounter
A man in Azamgarh's Shambhupur village shot dead his wife and two priests over a ritual dispute, held children hostage, and died in a police encounter.
A man who shot dead his wife and two priests during a dispute over a religious ritual in Shambhupur village, under the Ahraula police station area of Azamgarh district, was killed in a police encounter late on Tuesday night, September 22, 2026.
The accused, identified as Arvind Singh, opened fire after an altercation with priests who had been invited to the village by his mother to conduct rituals for the peace of the soul of his brother. Residents said Singh was opposed to the conduct of any religious ritual.
The deceased were identified as Babita, 34, Mahendra Pathak, 60, and Akhilesh Mishra, 51.
After the shooting, Singh locked himself inside the house along with three children, creating a hostage situation. Local police and the Special Operations Group reached the spot and attempted to bring the accused and the children out of the room.
According to Anil Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Azamgarh, the accused fired at one of his children despite adequate warnings. In the interest of the children's safety, police retaliated and injured Singh.
The accused and the injured child were taken to hospital, where both died during treatment. Police safely evacuated the two other children from the scene.
Adequate police force, the Special Operations Group and forensic teams are present at the site, and evidence collection and other legal proceedings are underway, the SSP said.