Amethi shocker: Month after lodging FIR against eve-teasing, family of four shot dead in Uttar Pradesh

In a gruesome incident, a government school teacher, his wife, and their two young daughters were shot dead inside their home in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi district on Thursday evening, police said. According to police, the deceased were identified as Sunil (35), wife Poonam (32), daughter Drishti (6) and a-year-old daughter.

The incident occurred on the eve of Navratri when the assailants barged into the house of the victim and shot his family dead. An initial police investigation has revealed that the family had filed a complaint against one Chandan Verma under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and for eve teasing, news agency PTI reported.

Superintendent of Police of Amethi Anoop Kumar Singh said that it is yet to be investigated if the murders are related to the complaint or not. Sunil was a native of Raebareli and was posted in a government school in Panhauna.


"Initial investigations revealed that Sunil's wife had filed an FIR against a local man, Chandan Verma, on Aug 18, alleging harassment under the SC/ST Act, in Rae Bareli Kotwali police station. While the police mediated a settlement between the two parties, we suspect a possible vendetta by the Chandan could be the reason behind the crime," Singh told TOI.

Post-mortem examinations were conducted by a local panel of doctors, and the bodies were sent to Sudampur in Raebareli, the village of the deceased.

Anshuman Singh, CMO Amethi said, "In the post mortem findings, one bullet was recovered from Sunil Kumar and two bullets were recovered from his wife Poonam and there were exit wounds in the two children which confirms that they were killed by bullets. Post-mortem findings have been submitted to the police."

CM Yogi Adityanath promises strict action

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognizance and expressed grief over the incident, promising strict action against the accused. In a post on X in Hindi, he said, "The incident that happened in Amethi district today is highly condemnable and unforgivable. My condolences are with the bereaved families. In this hour of grief, UP government stands with the victim's family. The culprits of this incident will not be spared at any cost, strict legal action will be taken against them."

However, Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma questioned the state government and said the investigation should be speeded up.

"This is a gruesome crime. I have been in touch with the deceased's father since yesterday... I have talked to the DM and asked for an investigation keeping all angles in mind... If the state government applauds itself for the law and order situation in the state, why are such crimes happening?... Rahul Gandhi had asked me to visit the family and on his instructions, I have been in touch with the family since yesterday," KL Sharma said.
(With inputs from agencies)