A wave of horror swept through the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday morning, as a family was found dead in their apartment, victims of a brutal murder-suicide. The chilling discovery was made by the family’s maid, who entered the apartment to find the bodies of Nitu Gupta (45), Navanendra Gupta (25), Gaurangi Gupta (16), and Shubhendra Gupta (15) riddled with bullets.
The initial investigation pointed fingers at Rajendra Gupta, the husband and father, who was initially declared missing. However, hours later, his body was found at a nearby construction site, bearing a gunshot wound. This tragic sequence of events led authorities to conclude that Rajendra had murdered his wife and children before taking his own life.
The family resided in a spacious apartment building, sharing it with other tenants. It was unusual for them to not emerge from their flat until late in the morning, which alerted their neighbors. The tenants noticed the absence of the family and contacted the police after the maid’s horrifying discovery.
Initial investigations suggested that the family was asleep when they were shot, indicating a planned and cold-blooded act. Police officials found bullet casings at the scene, leading them to believe that a pistol was used in the crime. “The condition of the bodies suggests that they were sleeping when they were shot dead. Prima facie, it appears a pistol was used. We have found bullet casings,” senior police officer Gaurav Banswal stated to NDTV.
The motive behind the murders remains under investigation, but family disputes are suspected to be the underlying cause. Rajendra Gupta had a dark past, having been accused of murdering his father, brother, and sister-in-law. This history paints a disturbing picture of a man potentially driven by deep-seated rage and violence.
Adding to the tragedy, Rajendra was a successful businessman, owning 8-9 businesses and earning lakhs in rent. He also operated a country-made liquor business. Despite his financial success, his family life was marred by conflict, culminating in this horrific act of violence.
The incident has shaken the city of Varanasi and serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence. The police are diligently investigating the case, focusing on the motive behind the murders and the potential triggers for Rajendra’s actions. The investigation will involve forensic experts and senior police officials, aiming to provide answers to the tragic events that unfolded in the family’s apartment.
