Woman's family denies affair allegation in Amethi murder case
Accuses police of ignoring harassment complaint
Amethi: The family of a woman who was killed along with her husband and two daughters in Amethi has refuted the police's claim that she was involved in an affair with the accused, Chandan Verma. Instead, they allege that Verma harassed her and took photos without her consent.
The victims, identified as Poonam, her husband, a government schoolteacher, and their two daughters, were found shot dead in their home in the Ahorwa Bhawani area of Amethi. Poonam's brother, Bhanu, told the media that Verma used to harass his sister and forced her to talk to him. He further alleged that Verma had taken photos with her without her consent, which are now being circulated. "Had the local police acted on my sister's FIR, this incident could have been prevented," Bhanu stated.
The police, however, maintained that the murders took place after an alleged affair between Verma and Poonam ended. Verma, a resident of Rae Bareli, claimed he had been in a relationship with Poonam for the past 18 months. He reportedly reached the victims' house on Thursday, got into an argument, and then shot the family.
After the murders, Verma tried to kill himself, but the gun misfired. On Saturday, he was shot in the leg when he allegedly opened fire at a police team.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met the family members of the victims in Lucknow on Saturday. Offering condolences, Adityanath assured the family that strict action would be taken and promised financial assistance and a government job for a family member. "The UP government stands with the bereaved family with full sympathy and commitment," he stated.
The police disclosed that Poonam had lodged a complaint against Verma on August 18 in Rae Bareli for harassment, but no substantial action was taken.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
