Three Shot Dead at Birthday Party in Bulandshahr After Row Over Cake Smearing: Contractor Jitendra Kumar on the Run
Three members of a family were shot dead at a birthday party in the Khurja area of Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, late on Saturday night, 26 April 2026, after a heated argument erupted over cake being smeared on the host’s face. The accused, a private contractor named Jitendra Kumar, allegedly opened fire on his guests with a pistol before fleeing the scene. Police have registered an FIR under sections pertaining to murder and have launched a massive manhunt to apprehend Kumar.
How the Bulandshahr Birthday Party Shooting Unfolded
According to Bulandshahr SP (Rural) Antriksh Jain, the incident took place inside a gym in the Khurja area around 11 pm on Saturday. Jitendra Kumar, a Bulandshahr-based private contractor, had organised a birthday celebration and invited friends and associates, including members of a local councillor’s family.
Among the guests were Amardeep Saini, 32, cousin of the local councillor; his brother Manish Saini, 30; and nephew Akash Saini, 19. During the festivities, guests reportedly smeared birthday cake on Kumar’s face — a common practice at Indian birthday celebrations. However, Kumar reacted with extreme anger, leading to a heated verbal altercation with Amardeep Saini.
SP Jain stated that after the argument intensified, Kumar left the venue briefly and returned carrying a pistol. “Amardeep and Manish were shot from close range while Akash, who tried to escape, was chased down and shot,” Jain told reporters. All three victims were rushed to a nearby private hospital but were declared brought dead by doctors on arrival.
Accused Removed CCTV Evidence Before Fleeing
In a calculated move that suggests premeditation, Kumar allegedly removed the digital video recorder (DVR) connected to the gym’s CCTV surveillance system before fleeing the scene. This has temporarily hampered the investigation, although police have confirmed that CCTV footage from surrounding areas is being scanned to trace Kumar’s movements and identify potential accomplices.
The gym, which served as the venue for the birthday party, was found in disarray following the shooting. Police recovered liquor bottles and beer cans at the spot, indicating that alcohol was being consumed during the gathering — a factor that investigators believe may have contributed to the escalation of the argument. A recent murder case involving a UPSC aspirant in Delhi’s Amar Colony also highlighted how quickly disputes can turn fatal in urban India.
FIR Filed Against 10 People Including Three Arrested
An FIR has been registered at the Khurja Dehat police station against Jitendra Kumar and nine others under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections pertaining to murder, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence. The nine others named in the FIR are believed to have either aided Kumar during the shooting or helped him escape.
Police have arrested three people so far: Rupesh Kumar, the gym owner who hosted the party; and two associates of Jitendra Kumar. Investigations are underway to determine whether Rupesh Kumar had prior knowledge of the weapon or the potential for violence at the event.
SP Jain confirmed that multiple police teams have been deployed across western Uttar Pradesh to track down Jitendra Kumar. Lookout notices have been issued at all border checkpoints with neighbouring states, and Kumar’s mobile phone records and financial transactions are being monitored. “We are confident of arresting the main accused shortly. He will not be able to evade the law for long,” Jain said.
Victims’ Family Demands Swift Justice
The Saini family, devastated by the loss of three members in a single night, has demanded swift justice and capital punishment for Jitendra Kumar. The local councillor, whose cousin and nephew were among the victims, has called for a thorough investigation and expressed outrage that such a violent incident could occur within a residential area.
“We went to a birthday party in good faith. This was supposed to be a celebration. How can someone take three lives over cake?” a family member told local media, visibly distraught. Community members in Khurja have staged protests demanding enhanced policing in the area and stricter gun control measures.
The case has attracted widespread attention across Uttar Pradesh and nationally, with the unusual trigger — an argument over birthday cake smearing — making it one of the most discussed crime stories of the week. Social media users have expressed shock and anger, with many calling for a crackdown on the illegal possession of firearms in UP.
Gun Violence and Illegal Weapons in Uttar Pradesh
The Bulandshahr shooting has reignited debate about the prevalence of illegal firearms in Uttar Pradesh, which has long been a concern for law enforcement agencies. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau, UP consistently records the highest number of murders involving firearms among all Indian states, with thousands of illegal weapons seized annually.
Despite multiple crackdowns by the Yogi Adityanath government, including the controversial “bulldozer justice” approach to crime, illegal arms continue to circulate widely, particularly in western UP districts such as Meerut, Bulandshahr, Muzaffarnagar, and Shamli. The ease with which Kumar was able to obtain a pistol and use it during an argument underscores the challenges facing law enforcement in the region.
Legal experts have noted that India’s Arms Act provides for severe penalties for illegal possession and use of firearms, including life imprisonment and, in cases involving murder, the death penalty. However, prosecution rates remain low, and the black market for country-made firearms continues to thrive.
Community Impact and Next Steps
The triple murder has sent shockwaves through the Khurja community, where Jitendra Kumar was reportedly well-known as a local contractor with business interests in construction and real estate. Neighbours expressed disbelief that someone they considered a familiar face could commit such a horrific act.
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