India, April 27 -- Three members of a councillor's family were shot dead following a heated argument during a birthday party at a gym in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district, police said on Sunday.

The killings unfolded at RJS Fitness Gym on Subhash Marg during a bash hosted by 33-year-old gym operator Jeetu Saini. Several youths had gathered when a dispute broke out around 11pm between Jeetu and Amardeep, 35, cousin of ward 24 councillor Sanjay Saini. The argument escalated with abusive language, drawing in Manish, 32, Amardeep's brother.

Jeetu allegedly left the gym, returned with a licensed pistol, and opened fire, police said. He shot Amardeep and Manish at close range; Akash, 19, Sanjay Saini's nephew, was chased and shot in the he...