Ahmedabad: A priest (mahant) of a temple, who was allegedly mentally disturbed, killed four persons and later committed suicide at Eaava village in Sanand taluka near here today, police said.
Dharamnathji, the priest living at Neelkanth temple in Eaava village, who was allegedly mentally ill, killed three priests and a `darbari` who resided in the temple premises early this morning, and later hanged himself.
One of the dead priests was identified as Yogi Poonamnathji, while names of the other two were not known yet. The darbari was identified as Prithviraj Vaghela.
The incident happened after the customary prasad distribution ceremony in the morning. Dharamnathji, in a violent fit of rage, battered the victims with an iron rod.
Head priest Somnathji and two others - Mahavir Jadeja and Rajdeep Vaghela - sustained injuries in the assault, police said. Further probe is on.