LUCKNOW: Chandan Verma, 26, accused of murdering a Dalit teacher and his family in Amethi, was shot in an encounter with the police in the early hours of Saturday.
The encounter occurred while he was being taken to recover the pistol used in the crime, the police said.
Additional SP, Amethi, Harendra Kumar, stated that Chandan is out of danger and undergoing treatment at the local CHC.”During the operation, Chandan attempted to grab a pistol from Sub-Inspector Madan Kumar Singh and opened fire on him. In response, the police fired in self-defence, hitting Chandan in the right leg. Following the incident, Chandan was admitted to Tiloi CHC (Community Health Centre) for treatment,” said Kumar.
The gruesome murder of a Dalit schoolteacher, his wife, and two daughters in Amethi on Thursday was carried out by Chandan, who was in love with Poonam Bharti, the wife of the teacher.
Sunil Kumar, 34, a teacher in a govt school, came to know about his wife’s affair on 18th August, after which he made Poonam lodge an FIR against Chandan under the SC/ST Act in Rae Bareli, accusing him of threatening her family. She also stated in her complaint that if any of her family members were harmed, Chandan should be held responsible for it.
On Thursday, Chandan barged into the house of the victim and not only eliminated Sunil and Poonam but also their daughters, Shrishti, 5, and Samiksha, 1.5 years.
ASP Kumar said that Chandan Verma was the prime suspect, and he was in love with Poonam, and the two were constantly in touch with each other through video chats.
Verma was arrested late Friday evening from Noida when he was trying to cross over to the national capital.
He was arrested by a team of STF Noida unit from near Jewar toll plaza.
During interrogation, Chandan confessed to the crime and added that after shooting the victims, he attempted to take his own life but the gun misfired. Failing in his suicide attempt, he fled the scene on his motorcycle, the police said.