The gruesome murder of four members of a Dalit family in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, has sent shockwaves through the state. The incident, which occurred on Thursday evening, involved the killing of Sunil Kumar, a government school teacher, his wife Poonam Bharti, and their two young daughters, Drishti (1) and Suni (6).
Police investigations have revealed that the murders were allegedly premeditated by the accused, Chandan Verma, and that he had been plotting the crime for nearly a month. According to NDTV, Verma had even made cryptic announcements of his intentions, posting a WhatsApp status on September 12 that read, “5 people are going to die, I will show you soon.”
Verma’s motive appears to stem from a past complaint filed against him by Poonam Bharti. On August 18, she had reported harassment by Verma to the police in Rae Bareli, alleging that he had misbehaved with her at a hospital and slapped her and her husband when they objected. In her statement, Bharti wrote, “He said ‘If you report this I will kill you’. He has threatened to kill me before this as well. My family is in danger. If any incident or accident happens with me or my husband in the future, Chandan Verma will be responsible. I request you to register my complaint and take appropriate action.”
The horrific incident has ignited a political firestorm, with the opposition parties severely criticizing the Yogi Adityanath government for its handling of law and order in Uttar Pradesh. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to the victim’s father, Ram Gopal, expressing his condolences. Ram Gopal, overwhelmed with grief, stated that he wanted the perpetrators to face the same fate as his family.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered his condolences and assured that the perpetrators would face the strictest legal action. However, the opposition, including Congress MP Kishori Lal Sharma from Amethi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, expressed their outrage and questioned the government’s claims of effective law and order in the state. Akhilesh Yadav’s pointed question, “Koi hai, kahin hai (Is anyone there, is someone there anywhere)”, highlighted the growing public concern and mistrust in the government’s ability to ensure safety and security.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities in India. It underscores the urgent need for a systemic response to address threats of violence and ensure justice for victims. The incident has also brought into sharp focus the responsibility of the government to maintain peace and uphold the law, prompting crucial questions about the state’s ability to protect its citizens.
