Amethi murder accused injured in police shootout while trying to escape

Chandan Verma, the prime accused in the Amethi murder case in which four members of a family were shot dead on Thursday was injured in a police shootout after he tried to escape by snatching an official’s pistol, Uttar Pradesh police said on Saturday.
Verma, who was arrested on Friday, was shot in the leg when he attempted to escape while being taken for recovery during interrogation, according to officials.
A 35-year-old school teacher, Sunil, his wife Poonam (32), their daughter Drishti (6), and their one-year-old daughter were shot dead by a group of men, including Verma, on Thursday after they barged into their home. The assailants opened fire on the victims and fled the scene, and all four family members were declared dead upon being brought to the hospital.
A case filed against Verma by the teacher’s wife in August emerged as a potential lead. Additionally, the police recovered the accused’s WhatsApp status, where he had posted an open threat related to the murders.
Investigating officials believe the murder was premeditated. Verma had written in his WhatsApp status, “Five people will die, I will show you soon,” suggesting a plan to kill all four family members before committing suicide, according to sources.
The probe also found that Poonam had lodged an FIR against Verma in Rae Bareli under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and for eve-teasing. She had mentioned that “if anything happens to her or her family,” Verma should be held responsible.
The Uttar Pradesh Police formed multiple probe teams to investigate the matter, with the Local Intelligence Unit and Special Operations Groups also assisting in the investigation.