7-Hour Hostage Drama: UP Man Kills Wife, 2 Priests And Son; Shot Dead By Police

A man accused of killing his wife and two priests at his residence in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district shot dead one of his three children after holding them hostage for seven hours before police shot him dead on Tuesday night, officials said.

According to police, the incident began when the accused, identified as Arvind Singh, returned home from the market and found a ‘puja’ being conducted at his residence in the Aharoula police station area.

Azamgarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anil Kumar said a preliminary investigation suggested that Singh’s family, including his wife Babita, had organised the prayer ceremony after noticing what they described as his “unusual behaviour” and drinking habits.

“They believed he was under the influence of a ghost and organised the puja to address the problem. Singh was opposed to the ritual,” Kumar said, adding that a detailed investigation was underway.

A priest who managed to escape later told police that the prayers were being conducted amid concerns that the soul of Singh’s elder brother was not at peace.

Police said Singh saw four priests inside the house, questioned them about the ritual and allegedly demanded to see their Aadhaar cards. He then allegedly took out a licensed pistol kept at the residence and opened fire.

His wife Babita and two priests — 60-year-old Mahendra Pathak of Patkhauli village and 55-year-old Akhilesh Mishra of Chhitauna Bhatauli village — were killed in the shooting. The other priests managed to flee.

A police officer said Singh appeared to be heavily intoxicated when he allegedly locked himself inside a room with his three children following the killings.

Senior police officers, including Deputy Inspector General Sunil Kumar, SSP Anil Kumar and Superintendent of Police RA Chirag Jain, rushed to the spot and began efforts to rescue the children.

Police repeatedly warned Singh against harming the children and urged him to surrender, but he refused.

After around seven hours, police heard a gunshot from inside the room. The SSP said Singh had shot one of his children, following which police broke open the door.

“After shooting and killing three people, he held his three children hostage in a room. While the police were attempting to persuade the accused to surrender and rescue the children, they heard the sound of a gunshot. The team rushed into the room but the accused opened fire on them,” Kumar said.

Police retaliated, injuring Singh in the exchange of fire. He and his son were taken to hospital, where both later succumbed to their injuries, the SSP said.

A team of the Security Operations Group (SOG) was deployed at the residence, which was subsequently cordoned off as police continued their investigation into the incident.