Azamgarh man who shot wife, two priests and 9-year-old son killed in encounter

Azamgarh SSP Anil Kumar said Arvind Singh, 42, had locked himself inside a room with his three children after the firing and refused to surrender despite repeated persuasion by police. “He opened fire at the police team when officers entered the room to rescue the children, prompting retaliatory firing,” Kumar said.

The incident began around 6pm when Singh returned home from the market and found the religious ritual underway. Police said Singh was allegedly heavily drunk at the time. The ritual had been going on for four days and had been organised by his family after concerns over his behaviour and heavy alcohol consumption. Family members allegedly believed he was under the influence of “evil spirits”. The claim about any mental health condition or supernatural influence has not been independently established.

Singh allegedly objected to the ritual and argued with his wife, Babita, 32. Police said he also demanded the Aadhaar cards of the priests present at the house. The argument escalated, following which Singh allegedly took out his licensed pistol and opened fire, killing Babita and two priests — Mahendra Pathak, 60, of Patakhouli village and Akhilesh Mishra, 55, of Chhitauna Bhattauli village.