A chilling incident unfolded in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, leaving a community in shock and grief. A family of four, including two young children, was brutally gunned down in their home. The victims were identified as Sunil Kumar, a government school teacher, his wife Poonam, and their two daughters, Drishti (5) and a two-year-old.
The assailants, who remain unidentified, stormed into the family’s rented accommodation in the Bhavani Nagar roundabout area of Shivratanganj. The horrifying attack claimed the lives of all four family members, leaving behind a scene of unimaginable tragedy.
According to the Amethi Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anoop Kumar Singh, Sunil Kumar was originally from Raebareli and had been working as a teacher at a school in Panhauna. The police investigation revealed that the family had previously filed a complaint against a man named Chandan Verma under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, as well as for eve-teasing. This complaint, filed around August 18th, has become a crucial focus of the investigation.
The SSP stated, “Unknown persons entered the home and shot dead the teacher, his wife, and his two daughters (aged 5 and 2). It does not appear to be a case of robbery.” He added, “The school teacher had filed a case against some Chandan Verma around August 18 in connection with commission of offences under the SC/ST Act. We are investigating if that is a possible reason for this.” While the police are exploring all angles, they are carefully examining whether the murders were a direct consequence of the complaint against Chandan Verma.
The crime scene yielded nine shell casings and a live cartridge, providing vital evidence for the investigation. The motive behind the murders remains unclear, and the police are diligently working to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy. It is unclear how the assailants gained access to the family’s home.
Expressing his condolences and outrage over the heinous crime, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the incident as “highly condemnable and unforgivable.” He assured the grieving family of the state government’s support and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared, “The incident that happened in Amethi district today is highly condemnable and unforgivable. My condolences are with the bereaved family. UP Govt stands with the victim’s family in this hour of grief. The culprits of this incident will not be spared at any cost, strictest legal action will be taken against them.”
The police have launched a full-scale investigation to identify the culprits and bring them to justice. The investigation is focused on all possible motives, including the complaint filed against Chandan Verma. The tragic loss of an entire family has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving behind a sense of fear and demanding swift justice for the victims.
