Muzaffarnagar, Oct 17, 2026: Police have arrested a father and son in connection with the fatal shooting of an 81-year-old priest at a Shiva temple in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district. Investigators revealed that the murder was motivated by anger over an incorrect birth prediction and involved a calculated attempt to frame a local resident.
The incident occurred on the night of October 13, when Swami Devanand Bharti was shot dead by two assailants who arrived at the temple on a motorcycle. Following the attack, police secured the crime scene and sent the victim's body for a post-mortem examination. During their initial inspection, officers discovered a photograph belonging to a local resident at the scene.
Senior law enforcement officials formed dedicated teams to track down the culprits. Their efforts led to the arrests of Hashim and his son Zeeshan, both local residents. Authorities also seized a motorcycle, two country-made pistols, and several cartridges linked to the offense.
During questioning, the suspects confessed that Zeeshan's wife had given birth roughly a month and a half prior. They stated that the priest had previously assured them they would have a son. When a daughter was born instead, a bitter disagreement arose between the family and the religious figure.
Investigators further disclosed that the father and son harboured a separate grievance against a neighbour. Capitalising on the situation, they hatched a conspiracy to eliminate the priest and pin the blame on their adversary.
As part of their scheme, the accused acquired a photograph of the neighbour from a mobile phone and left it at the temple after the shooting on October 13. The tactic was designed to mislead investigators into believing the neighbour had visited the site and to divert all suspicion away from the actual killers. Police ultimately uncovered the plot and took the suspects into custody.