Stories
Azamgarh: Man Shoots Wife, Priests Over Aadhaar Demand During Puja; Barricades Self with Kids.
- •A dispute during a puja in Shambhupur village, Azamgarh, turned bloody on Tuesday evening.
- •Arvind Singh allegedly opened fire with a pistol after an argument over demanding Aadhaar cards from priests.
- •His wife Babita and two priests are reported to have died from bullet injuries.
- •The accused, Arvind Singh, is barricaded inside his house with his children, with police negotiating.
- •The puja was for the peace of Arvind's brother, Guddu Singh, who was shot dead two years ago, a ritual Arvind opposed.
Key Questions Answered
The shooting was triggered by an argument after Arvind Singh returned home from the market and demanded Aadhaar cards from the priests who were performing a religious puja against his wishes. His wife and two priests suffered fatal bullet injuries during the confrontation.
The Narayani Bali puja was being arranged for the peace of the soul of Arvind's brother, Guddu Singh, who had been shot dead about two years prior. Despite Arvind opposing the ritual and telling his wife and mother not to hold it, the ceremony had been ongoing for two days.
Following the shooting, the accused Arvind Singh barricaded himself inside his house with his children while police and administrative officials, including the DIG-SP and a heavy police force, surrounded the property and negotiated with him.
