Four of a family hacked to death in Allahabad

ALLAHABAD : Four members of a family, including a seven-yearold boy, were hacked to death in Bigahia village in Soraon development block of Allahabad on Friday morning, police said. The assailants, however, spared a month-old girl, they added.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP), Allahabad, Nitin Tiwari and other senior officials rushed to the spot with a forensic team and dog squad for investigations.

“Prima facie it appears to be a case of loot but we are looking into all angles, including property dispute,” the SSP said, adding that the bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. Police said the victims were Kamlesh Devi, 55, her daughter Kiran Devi, 30, son-in-law Pratap Narayan Mishra, 35, and grandson Virat, 7. Kamlesh Devi’s husband Vimal Chandra had died about three years ago and her son had gone missing about 15 years back, police said.

Kamlesh’s daughter, son-inlaw and grandson lived with her.

Vimal’s brother Prakash Chandra, who lives in the adjacent house, informed the police that he grew suspicious when he heard the baby crying since morning. “We entered the house and found the family murdered,” Prakash said and added that the family did not have enmity with anyone in the village.

Additional director general (ADG), Allahabad zone, SN Sabat, said: “An FIR has been lodged against five people, including Prakash Chandra and four other relatives, on the complaint of Pratap Narayan’s family.”