Azamgarh Triple Murder: Man Allegedly Shoots Dead Wife and 2 Priests After Aadhaar Card Dispute During Puja (Video)

A dispute during a religious ceremony in Shambhupur village under the Ahraula police station area of Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, turned bloody on Tuesday evening, September 22, after a man allegedly opened fire inside his home, killing his wife and two priests. The accused, identified as Arvind Singh, reportedly engaged in a heated argument with the priests over their Aadhaar cards before retrieving a firearm and firing multiple shots.

The victims were identified as Arvind's 32-year-old wife Babita, along with priests Mahendra Pathak and Akhilesh Mishra, News18 Hindi reported. Following the shooting, panic erupted on the premises, causing other participating priests to flee the house. Local police officers, accompanied by senior administrative officials, rushed to the spot after being alerted and cordoned off the area to manage the tense standoff. Vineet Minocha Murder: Why Did His Daughter-in-Law Plot His Killing?

Azamgarh Triple Murder

Triple murder in UP's Azamgarh:

In UP's Azamgarh, a man identified as Arvind Singh shot dead his wife Babita and two priest -Mahendra Pathak and Akhilesh Mishra - who had arrived to perform a "pooja". An argument ensued after the accsued Arvind asked priests to produce their… https://t.co/ZJWYp4Rljo pic.twitter.com/pFR2dbrJWj

— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) September 22, 2026

Man Allegedly Shoots Dead Wife and 2 Priests After Aadhaar Card Dispute in UP

According to preliminary reports, the religious ritual had been organised in the house over the past two days. Arvind's brother, Guddu Singh, had been shot dead approximately two years ago, following which the family planned a Narayani Bali puja to pray for the peace of his soul.

Arvind was reportedly opposed to the ritual and had previously instructed his wife and mother against holding the ceremony at their residence. Despite his objections, the family proceeded with the arrangements. Arvind was away from the house when the rituals commenced earlier in the day. Meerut: Social Media Influencer Stabbed to Death by Husband in UP Over Property Dispute.

Dispute Over Aadhaar Verification Leads to Fatal Gunfire

Around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Arvind returned home from the market and discovered the ongoing ceremony in the presence of his wife, their children, and the priests. He confronted the gathering and questioned the priests regarding the proceedings.

The confrontation escalated when Arvind began demanding to see the priests' Aadhaar cards. When an argument broke out over the demand, Arvind allegedly retrieved a firearm kept in the house and opened fire. His wife Babita, Pandit Mahendra Pathak, and a second priest were critically wounded in the gunfire and succumbed to their injuries on the spot. While initial inputs suggested a rifle was used, officers are verifying whether a pistol or licensed revolver was discharged during the attack.

The sudden sound of gunfire sent shockwaves through the village as neighbours gathered near the residence. Following the shooting, the accused locked himself inside the house with his children.

Police and district administration teams initiated negotiations to coax Arvind out of the room safely and ensure the protection of the minor children. Forensic units have commenced collecting ballistic and physical evidence from the room. Authorities confirmed that the exact sequence of events, weapon details, and official causes of death will be confirmed following a detailed investigation and post-mortem examinations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2026 11:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).