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The brutal murder of a Dalit teacher, his wife, and their two young daughters in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, has sent shockwaves through the community and sparked a high-profile investigation. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, when unidentified assailants stormed into the home of Sunil Kumar, an assistant teacher at PM Shri Vidyalaya Panhauna, and opened fire, killing all four family members. The gruesome nature of the crime has prompted authorities to launch a thorough investigation, focusing on a potential motive linked to a molestation FIR filed by Sunil Kumar's wife, Poonam Bharti, against a man named Chandan Verma just months prior to the murders.
The FIR, filed on August 18, 2024, alleged that Verma had stalked and molested Poonam Bharti, using abusive language and threatening her and her family. She had expressed explicit fear for their safety, stating in the FIR that Verma would be responsible if anything happened to her or her husband. The police are investigating whether this past incident, which involved accusations of atrocities against Dalits under the SC/ST Act, played a role in the tragic events that unfolded on Thursday. The deceased family’s residence in Rae Bareli, Sunil Kumar’s hometown, is also being investigated for any potential existing disputes or rivalries that could have contributed to the motive.
The investigation is examining both the molestation case and potential past conflicts as potential motives. The police are actively searching for the assailants responsible for the murders and have formed multiple teams to gather evidence and track down the suspects. The incident has also drawn attention from political leaders, with opposition parties questioning the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh and expressing concern over the safety of Dalit communities. The Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, has assured that strict action will be taken against the perpetrators and has deployed the Special Task Force (STF) to expedite the investigation. The tragic murders have cast a dark shadow over Amethi, highlighting the need for swift justice and raising concerns about the ongoing violence against vulnerable communities.