Archive · 23 Sep 2026
UP Farmer’s Ritual Shooting Leaves Wife, Priests and Son Dead
A family held a religious ceremony because they thought Arvind Singh had a spirit problem.
Police said Singh had also been receiving treatment for mental health issues.
During the ceremony, he argued with his wife and two priests.
Police said he used a licensed revolver to shoot all three of them.
The three victims died in a hospital.
Singh then locked himself in a room with his three children.
Police talked to him for almost seven hours and asked him to come out.
After hearing a gunshot, officers entered and found his nine-year-old son badly hurt.
Police said Singh fired at them, and both Singh and his son died after being taken to a hospital.
A five-day religious ritual in Shambhupur village was intended to address the family’s belief that farmer Arvind Singh was possessed by a spirit.
Police said Singh allegedly shot his wife, Babita Singh, and priests Mahendra Pathak and Akhilesh Mishra during an argument.
The three victims were taken to a hospital and declared dead, according to police.
Singh then allegedly locked himself in a room with his three children while police tried to negotiate his surrender for nearly seven hours.
After a gunshot was heard, police entered, found Singh’s nine-year-old son seriously injured, and said Singh opened fire; Singh and his son later died at a hospital.
- Who
- Farmer Arvind Singh, his wife Babita Singh, priests Mahendra Pathak and Akhilesh Mishra, Singh’s three children, and responding police officers were involved.
- What
- A religious ritual ended in the alleged shootings of Singh’s wife and two priests, followed by the fatal shooting of Singh’s nine-year-old son and Singh’s death after police returned fire.
- When
- Tuesday, on the fourth day of a planned five-day ceremony; the police standoff lasted nearly seven hours.
- Where
- A home in Shambhupur village, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The ceremony was organized because Singh’s family believed he was affected by spirit possession, although police said he had a history of mental health issues and was receiving treatment.
Spirit-Possession Explanation
Mental-Health and Police Account
Cause of the ritual
Spirit-Possession Explanation
Singh’s family believed he was affected by spirit possession and organized the religious ceremony to improve his condition.
Mental-Health and Police Account
Police said Singh had a history of mental health issues and was undergoing treatment.
Account of the final confrontation
Spirit-Possession Explanation
The articles provide no alternative account from Singh or his family about the police shooting.
Mental-Health and Police Account
Police said Singh opened fire at officers after they entered the room, prompting them to retaliate and injure him.
- Farmer
- Arvind Singh, 45
- Ceremony
- A five-day religious ritual; the incident occurred on its fourth day
- Initial victims
- Babita Singh and priests Mahendra Pathak and Akhilesh Mishra
- Weapon
- A licensed revolver
- Standoff
- Nearly seven hours
- Child victim
- Singh’s nine-year-old son was found seriously injured
- Outcome
- Police said Singh fired at officers; Singh and his son were declared dead at a hospital
