By Sumesh Rajan | October 29, 2026
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: A long-standing dispute between two neighbouring families over car parking and the construction of a platform around a banyan tree turned into a triple murder in Lucknow’s Saadatganj area, where a 34-year-old man allegedly opened fire, killing three members of the same family. The incident has triggered public outrage, leading to the arrest of several members of the accused’s family, the suspension of two police personnel and the partial demolition of the accused’s house.
The incident occurred around 10.35 am on Monday October 26 in the Naubasta Brahmani Tola locality. The deceased were identified as Shivaji Tiwari, 62, a retired government employee, his younger brother Shivendra Tiwari, 55, and Shivaji’s son Suyash, 30, who was scheduled to get married on December 5.
Police arrested the prime accused, Rishabh Shukla, shortly after the shooting. Five of his relatives were subsequently arrested in connection with the case. They were identified as his father Dinesh Shukla, 62, sister Aditi, 24, uncles Satish, 69, and Girish, 78, and Girish’s married daughter Priya, 38. Police are searching for another accused, Rajesh, who is also Rishabh’s uncle.
According to police, the two families had been involved in frequent arguments over parking vehicles near their houses and the reconstruction of a concrete platform surrounding an old banyan tree. The tree is considered sacred by local residents, who regularly gather there to offer prayers.
The dispute reportedly intensified over the past two months after local councillor Anoop Kamal initiated work to rebuild the platform. While the Tiwari family supported the construction, the Shukla family opposed it. The disagreement led to repeated confrontations, prompting local police to intervene on at least two occasions. Construction work was subsequently halted amid rising tensions.
On Monday morning, the situation escalated after a member of the Tiwari family parked a car beneath the banyan tree. According to a complaint filed by Shivendra’s wife, Ruchi, her husband was heading to a nearby temple when members of the Shukla family confronted him over the parked vehicle.
Ruchi alleged that the accused verbally abused Shivendra before attacking him with sticks and clubs. Hearing the commotion, his elder brother Shivaji and nephew Suyash rushed out of their house to intervene and rescue him.
During the confrontation, Rishabh allegedly went inside his house, returned with a pistol and opened fire at the three men.
Police said several rounds were fired during the attack, with preliminary reports suggesting that more than 12 shots were discharged. The sudden gunfire created panic in the residential neighbourhood as residents rushed indoors for safety.
All three victims sustained serious gunshot injuries and were taken to the trauma centre at King George’s Medical University, where doctors declared them dead.
An eyewitness, Anoop Saxena, said the two families had been quarrelling frequently and that Monday’s confrontation escalated within minutes.
Saxena said he had attempted to intervene when the argument began. According to him, Rishabh asked him to call the police, following which he went inside his house to collect his phone. Moments later, he heard multiple gunshots.
When he returned outside, he found the three men lying on the ground.
Police recovered a pistol and empty cartridges from the scene and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Following the murders, the victims’ relatives accused the local police of failing to act despite repeated complaints about threats and harassment by the neighbouring family.
Ruchi alleged that the accused and their relatives had been deliberately provoking her family for several months, frequently picking fights over minor issues and filing false complaints against them at Saadatganj police station.
The victims’ family subsequently staged a protest and initially refused to perform the last rites, demanding strict action against all those involved and accountability from police officers who allegedly ignored their earlier complaints.
As public anger intensified, Lucknow Police Commissioner Tarun Gauba suspended Saadatganj Station House Officer Santosh Kumar Arya and Kashmiri Mohalla police outpost in-charge Sub-Inspector Ajay Chaurasia over allegations of negligence.
A departmental inquiry has also been ordered to examine whether the officers failed to take appropriate preventive action despite being aware of the ongoing dispute.
Meanwhile, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) initiated demolition of an allegedly unauthorised portion of Rishabh Shukla’s house on Tuesday October 27. Authorities maintained that the action concerned illegal construction on the property.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the grieving family and assured them that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for the killings.
Pathak announced that Ruchi would be appointed as an Officer on Special Duty in the Lucknow Municipal Corporation. He also assured police protection for the family and said the state government would bear the educational expenses of her daughter.
The deputy chief minister later participated in the cremation ceremony after the family agreed to end its protest following assurances from the administration.
The tragedy has particularly devastated the family as Suyash, who operated an electrical hardware business, was preparing for his wedding on December 5. His death, along with those of his father and uncle, has left the family mourning three members who were killed within minutes of one another.
Police said further investigations are underway to establish the precise sequence of events, determine the involvement of each accused and examine the allegations of earlier police inaction.
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