By :- Shruti Tiwari
Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh | July 2, 2025 —
In a horrifying act of violence that has left an entire neighborhood in shock, a man in Azamgarh’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Nagar shot dead his mother, son, and daughter before turning the weapon on himself. The man, identified as Neeraj Pandey (32), died on the spot along with his mother, while his 4-year-old son succumbed to injuries at the hospital. His 7-year-old daughter remains in critical condition.
The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after Neeraj returned from the market with ice cream and snacks (locally called ghathi) for his children. Police sources say Neeraj was under the influence of alcohol when he committed the crime.
Sequence of the Tragedy
According to eyewitness accounts and local police:
- Neeraj returned home from the market with ice cream and snacks for his children.
- While his wife briefly stepped out to give water to her father-in-law, Neeraj suddenly took out a pistol and shot his mother in the abdomen, killing her instantly.
- He then fired at his daughter’s stomach and shot his son in the lower back.
- Finally, he shot himself in the head, dying on the spot.
The horrifying sound of gunfire alerted his wife, who ran back only to witness the gruesome aftermath. The entire neighborhood was left stunned by the brutal act.
Three Possible Motives Under Investigation
According to police and local reports, there are three main angles currently being probed:
- Ongoing family dispute: Neeraj had longstanding tensions with his maternal family, particularly his grandparents and mother, after a past altercation involving his brother-in-law.
- Past criminal case: Two months ago, Neeraj was arrested and sent to jail for threatening to kill his brother-in-law in Pandeypur, Varanasi, with an illegal firearm after his sister was allegedly abused by her husband. His mother and grandparents later reconciled with the brother-in-law, leading to further resentment.
- Marital suspicion and alcoholism: Police sources say Neeraj frequently doubted his wife’s character and was known to consume alcohol regularly. On the day of the incident, he was reportedly intoxicated. Investigators noted that his wife’s lack of visible emotional response after the incident raised further questions.
Unanswered Questions Remain
Despite the evidence, several aspects of the case remain unclear:
- Where did Neeraj get the pistol and ammunition?
- Why did he spare his wife and father, while killing his mother and children?
- Why did he go to the market before the attack and give his wife ₹35,000?
- What was the exact trigger for such a horrific act?
Senior police officials have stated that parivarik vivaad (domestic conflict) remains the most likely cause but are not ruling out other factors. A forensic investigation is underway, and statements are being recorded from family members and neighbors.
Official Statement
“At this stage, family dispute appears to be the primary reason. The angle involving his brother-in-law is being probed further. We are investigating all possible leads,” said Madhuban Singh, SP City, Azamgarh.
Victims Identified
- Deceased:
- Neeraj Pandey (32) – Self-inflicted gunshot
- Chandrakala Pandey (55) – Neeraj’s mother
- Sangharsh Pandey (4) – Son, died in hospital
- Critical:
- Shubhi Pandey (7) – Daughter, in serious condition