Four members of a family, including two young children, were tragically shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Shivratanganj area of Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday. The victims have been identified as Sunil Kumar (35), a government school teacher, his wife Poonam (32), their five-year-old daughter Drishti, and their two-year-old daughter.
The incident occurred at their rented home near the Bhavani Nagar roundabout. According to Amethi Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anoop Kumar Singh, the family had previously lodged a complaint against a man named Chandan Verma under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, citing instances of eve-teasing.
Initial investigations reveal that the assailants forcibly entered the residence and opened fire on the family, suggesting a motive beyond robbery. The police recovered nine bullet shells and one live cartridge from the scene.
SSP Singh stated, “The motive of the crime is still unclear, and we are probing whether it is linked to the earlier complaint made by the victim.” The authorities are also investigating how the attackers managed to enter the house.
In response to the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences and called for swift action against those responsible. He emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the victims’ family during this difficult time and vowed that the perpetrators would face strict legal repercussions. “This incident in Amethi is highly condemnable and unforgivable,” he stated on X (formerly Twitter).
The investigation is ongoing, with police working diligently to uncover the details surrounding this shocking crime.
