Man kills wife and priests in ritual dispute, dies in police encounter

A man who allegedly killed his wife and two priests during a dispute over a religious ritual in Shambhupur village in Azamgarh district was killed in a police encounter late on Tuesday night (September 22, 2026).

After shooting two priests and his wife, the accused Arvind Singh locked himself along with three children inside the house, creating hostage situation. Local police and Special Operations Group (SOG), reached the site.

As per locals, the accused’s mother invited the priests to conduct rituals for the peace of the soul of Singh’s brother. The accused had an altercation with priests, after which he opened fire.

The deceased were identified as Babita, 34, Mahendra Pathak, 60; and Akhilesh Mishra, 51. Locals said the accused was opposed to conducting any religious ritual.