Authorities in northern India have arrested three suspects following a mass shooting at a fitness center that left three family members dead after a birthday cake prank went catastrophically wrong.
The shooting occurred late April 25, 2026, at RJS Fitness Gym on Subhash Road in Khurja, located in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district, roughly 85 kilometers southeast of New Delhi. Jeetu Saini, the man whose birthday was being celebrated, allegedly opened fire on partygoers after they smeared cake on his face during what was intended as a playful gesture.
Police said Saini left the venue in anger following a heated dispute, then returned about one hour later, accompanied by several accomplices and armed with multiple firearms. Among the weapons was a licensed pistol belonging to his brother, according to investigators.
Three Family Members Killed
The shooting claimed the lives of Amardeep Saini, Manish Saini and Akash Saini, all from the same family. Sanjay Saini, brother of one of the victims, said that Manish was his younger brother, Akash his nephew and Amardeep was his uncle’s son. The PTI news agency listed Amardeep as 30, Manish as 28 and Akash as 18, while other outlets reported different figures.
Investigators said Akash was chased as he tried to flee the building and was shot in the head. All three victims were struck multiple times and were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital, according to police.
Sanjay told reporters he had received a phone call from Jeetu’s group claiming his brother was being verbally abusive toward them. He attempted to defuse the situation by telling them he would resolve it in the morning, though he was on his way to a wedding at the time. “They immediately started firing the moment they arrived and didn’t give anyone a chance,” Sanjay said, adding that Jeetu and his associates came back armed with seven or eight weapons.
Alcohol and an Argument
The confrontation began during the cake-cutting ceremony on the first floor of the gym, when some attendees smeared cake on Saini’s face. What started as a lighthearted prank quickly escalated into a heated argument between two groups of young men. Officers later recovered liquor bottles and beer cans from the scene.
As gunfire erupted, party guests scrambled to hide between weight racks and behind equipment. The attackers allegedly removed the CCTV DVR in a bid to destroy evidence of the rampage before fleeing. By the time officers arrived, three men were dead and the gunmen had vanished into the night.
Arrests Made as Manhunt Continues
Officers cordoned off the gym as a crime scene. Three suspects — identified as Rupesh, Mayank and Naresh — were arrested in connection with the killings. A formal case was lodged at the Khurja Nagar police station, naming 10 people in connection with murder and rioting.
On April 27, suspect Mayank Saini was shot in the leg during a police encounter after he allegedly attempted to escape custody and fired at officers while leading them to a concealed illegal firearm hidden under a flyover. More than 15 people have been brought in for questioning. Jeetu Saini was killed on April 30 in a police encounter under the jurisdiction of Khurja Nagar Police Station.
Officers spotted Jeetu and an associate riding an unplated scooter and ordered them to stop; the pair opened fire and attempted to flee. Saini was struck and taken to the district hospital, where he was declared dead. Two police officers were injured in the exchange, and bullets struck the bulletproof jackets of several others. An illegal .32 bore pistol and cartridges were recovered from the scene. A bounty of Rs 50,000 had been declared on Saini before his death. His associate escaped, and a search remains underway. Police said five other accused had already been arrested before the encounter.
Deeper Rivalries Under Investigation
“The field unit is on the scene. They have collected some evidence, which will be analysed separately. At present, it is reported that there was some disagreement between them, due to which a fight broke out,” Meerut Range Deputy Inspector General Kalanidhi Naithani said.
While the cake-smearing incident appears to have triggered the violence, investigators believe the dispute may have deeper roots. An old rivalry, possibly connected to a local dharamshala (rest house for religious pilgrimages), and disputes over area dominance, may have played a role in escalating what began as a birthday celebration into a deadly confrontation. Officers are examining whether tensions between the two factions had been simmering long before the celebration.
Evidence Collection Underway
Forensic teams have combed the gym for evidence, and investigators scoured CCTV footage from surrounding businesses and streets to track suspects’ movements. Police are also working to recover or reconstruct footage from the removed DVR, hoping it may yield critical evidence. Bullet casings, blood evidence and other forensic samples are being analyzed at a state laboratory.
The killings have stunned residents of Khurja, where the Saini family is well known. The gym, which doubled as a community gathering spot, was decorated for what was supposed to be a joyful occasion.
For the family, the loss of three men in a single burst of gunfire has been devastating. Amardeep and Manish were engaged in farming, while Akash had been searching for work. Relatives gathered outside the hospital demanding swift justice.