VARANASI: What began as a celebration ended in tragedy on Friday night, when a 22-year-old groom was shot dead by three men on a motorcycle as his ‘baraat’ passed Badshahi Bazar in Jaunpur’s Khetasarai.Initial police investigation found that the prime accused, Pradeep Bind, has a long criminal history and named in other murder cases. He had a rivalry with the victim, Azad Bind, for local dominance. After learning that Azad was set to marry a girl from his extended family, Pradeep had allegedly threatened to kill him on the wedding day.According to reports, Azad’s wedding procession left Badaur village for Bibpur Jamdaha on Friday evening. As it reached Badshahi Bazar, the midway point, three masked men on a motorcycle overtook the groom’s vehicle and blocked it. Before Azad or others could grasp what was happening, the men fired indiscriminately at him and sped off towards Jaunpur.Shots in the crowded market set off panic. Locals called the police and Azad was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors referred him to the district hospital as his condition turned critical. He later died during treatment, police said.Azad’s younger brother Akash, who was in the car, said the groom was seated in the front passenger seat when the attackers struck. “They came from the side, fired at close range, and then again from the front before fleeing. We rushed him to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead,” he said. The car driver reportedly fled the scene in panic during the firing.The wedding procession consisted of three vehicles, with family members travelling in the cars following the groom’s vehicle. Panic gripped the procession as the attackers escaped before anyone could react.Azad worked in a private company in Pune and was set to marry Soni Bind, with whom he had reportedly been in a relationship for the past two years. The marriage had been fixed around six to seven months ago.“In his FIR, Azad’s father, Ramlakhan Bind, alleged that the murder was linked to opposition to the marriage. He named Pradeep Bind, a relative of the bride, and Ravi Yadav as key accused, claiming they had earlier threatened Azad and attempted to attack him months ago. Another accused, Bhole Rajbhar, has also been named in the FIR,” said IG Varanasi Range, Vaibhav Krishna.Citing the complaint by Azad’s father, the IG further stated that Pradeep Bind had warned his son over the phone not to proceed with the wedding. He alleged that the accused had previously attempted to assault Azad near Guraini market but fled when police arrived.Ramlakhan also cited an earlier incident from three years ago when he and his son were allegedly assaulted by around 30 people in Japtapur village, leaving them with severe injuries. He claimed that despite filing a case, no concrete action was taken.“Police have registered a case under BNS 103 (1) (murder) against Pradeep Bind, Ravi Yadav and Bhole Rajbhar based on the complaint and launched a search to nab the accused. Forensic teams have collected evidence from the spot, and CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined,” added IG Krishna.Senior officers said multiple angles, including personal rivalry and the alleged love affair, are being probed. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination. Police teams have been engaged to arrest the accused and a bounty of Rs 25,000 has been announced on each of them.Samajwadi Party district president Rakesh Maurya visited the mortuary and met the grieving family, demanding swift action against the perpetrators.