A celebratory gathering in Northern India ended in bloodshed after a dispute over a “cake-smearing” prank led a man to allegedly shoot three of his close friends dead.
BULANDSHAHR: A birthday party at a sports club in the Khurja area of Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district turned into a scene of carnage when a 33-year-old man reportedly opened fire on his friends. The violence was triggered by a common birthday tradition—smearing cake on the celebrant’s face—which the suspect reportedly found deeply offensive.
From Celebration to Confrontation
The incident occurred during the birthday celebrations of Jeetu Saini. According to eyewitnesses, the atmosphere was initially festive until some guests smeared cake on Saini’s face. What is usually regarded as a light-hearted prank sparked an immediate and aggressive reaction from Saini.
Witnesses stated that Saini became visibly enraged and engaged in a heated verbal spat with his friends before storming out of the venue. The reprieve, however, was short-lived.
The Fatal Return
A short while later, Saini returned to the sports club, allegedly accompanied by several associates and armed with a licensed firearm. Without warning, he reportedly opened fire on the three men with whom he had argued earlier. The victims were caught off guard and had no opportunity to defend themselves or escape.
The sudden gunfire triggered a stampede as panicked guests scrambled for safety. Saini and his accomplices managed to flee the scene before authorities arrived.
Police Investigation and Manhunt
Officials from the Khurja Nagar police station arrived at the scene and rushed the three critically injured men to a nearby hospital. Despite medical efforts, all three succumbed to their gunshot wounds.
Speaking to the ANI news agency, police officials confirmed that a massive investigation has been launched. “We have detained more than 15 individuals for questioning to piece together the sequence of events,” a police representative stated. While several associates have been rounded up, the primary suspect, Jeetu Saini, remains at large. Special police teams have been formed to track down the fugitive and recover the weapon used in the crime.
