Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday contacted Ram Gopal, a Dalit man who lost his son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters in a brutal shooting in Amethi.
The victims, Sunil Kumar (35), Poonam (32), and their daughters, Drishti and Suni, were murdered at their rented home on Thursday evening.
The call was facilitated by Amethi MP Kishori Lal, who was sent to Rae Bareli by Gandhi.
The conversation lasted around three minutes. Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences and was apprised of the situation.
Ram Gopal, about 60, had travelled to Sudamapuri village, in the Unchahar area of Rae Bareli, carrying the bodies of his family members.
“The way my son has gone, they (killers) should go the same way,” he told media persons.
The horrifying incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with many accusing the state government of failing to maintain law and order.
"The government keeps patting itself on the back, claiming good law and order, but if that is the case, why such incidents are happening?" Kishori Lal questioned. The Congress MP also mentioned that he had been in touch with the victim’s family since the previous day.
Sunil Kumar, the head of the family, worked as a teacher at a government school. The couple had lodged a police complaint against one Chandan Verma on August 18, under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Poonam had alleged harassment by Verma and had reportedly warned the police that Verma could endanger their lives. The police are yet to determine if there is a link between the complaint and the murders.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his condolences but faced mounting pressure from the opposition. Many have criticised the BJP-led state government, with several opposition leaders blaming lax law enforcement for such brazen attacks.
“The police are investigating from all angles,” said Amethi Superintendent of Police Anoop Kumar Singh.
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