Dehradun priest allegedly murders five family members, arrested

The accused, identified as Mahesh Kumar Tiwari, a native of Banda in Uttar Pradesh, was staying in Dehradun for the past 7-8 years in Rani Pokhari

A 47-year-old priest was arrested for allegedly killing five of his family members by slitting their throat with a knife on Monday morning in Dehradun’s Rani Pokhari, the police said.

According to police, they arrested the accused from the spot. (File image)

The victims include his mother, wife and three daughters, police officials stated.

The accused, identified as Mahesh Kumar Tiwari, a native of Banda in Uttar Pradesh, was staying in Dehradun for the past 7-8 years in Rani Pokhari, said Dehradun’s superintendent of police (rural) Kamlesh Upadhyay.

The incident took place around 7:30 am, she said, adding that the accused was killing victims when the neighbours raised an alarm after hearing their screams.

Upon receiving information, Dehradun police officials rushed to the spot.

According to police, they arrested the accused from the spot.

It is being ascertained why the accused took such an extreme step, the police added.

The victims were identified as mother Bitan Devi (75), wife Neetu Devi (36), daughters Aparna (13), Annapurna (9), and Swarna (11).