By Akhilesh Tripathi
LUCKNOW: The nephew of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has allegedly shot dead a 13-year-old boy, Unaiz. The deceased Unaiz’s father has accused the politician’s nephew of murdering his son, while the police are calling it an accidental firing.
On Monday, March 2, in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, the son of Sanjeev Tripathi — who is the brother-in-law of Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak — allegedly shot and killed Unaiz, a class 7 student and his schoolmate, during a birthday party.
According to the sequence of events, Zameer Khan, a resident of Sarojini Nagar in Lucknow, runs an electronics shop. His son Unaiz studied in Class 7 at Stella Maris School. Sanjeev Tripathi lives in Balaji Complex in Krishna Nagar, Lucknow. He is the brother-in-law of Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak. Sanjeev Tripathi’s son and Unaiz studied together in the same school.
According to Zameer Khan, “There was a birthday party at Sanjeev Tripathi’s house. On Monday, around 3:30 pm, his son came to my house with friends to take my son. I refused, but they forcibly took Unaiz along with them. In the evening, around 7:30 pm, Sanjeev Tripathi called on WhatsApp. My elder son received the call. He said, ‘Your brother is in Lokbandhu Hospital, come immediately.’ We rushed to the hospital, but we were not allowed to meet him. After some time, the police showed us my son’s body.”
Zameer Khan further said, “My son was shot exactly in the middle of his forehead. How can someone accidentally shoot themselves like that? Some people must have held him, and then he was shot in the forehead. An attempt is being made to cover up the murder. They killed my son on a fasting day. My son died hungry and thirsty.”
Zameer Khan has filed an FIR in the matter. In it, he stated that Sanjeev Tripathi informed him and the police about the incident via phone. When they reached Lokbandhu Hospital, they learned that their son had died.
Police have registered a murder FIR against three students who were in the car, the accused boy’s parents, and the driver.
The revolver used in the incident is licensed in the name of Sanjeev Tripathi. He is the brother-in-law of Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak. Sanjeev Tripathi’s brother Guddu Tripathi is a former MLC (Member of Legislative Council). So far, no arrests have been made and no action has been taken against anyone.
Meanwhile, Unaiz’s father has alleged that the shooting was not accidental but deliberate. He claimed that the gun was placed against his son’s forehead and fired. He alleged that some people must have held his son’s hands and feet. He also claimed that Sanjeev Tripathi had earlier threatened him during a school parents’ meeting after an argument.
It is said that there had been a dispute between Zameer Khan and Sanjeev Tripathi at the school over some issue, during which Tripathi allegedly threatened him.
The case is considered high-profile. The police are describing the incident as accidental firing. Since the allegation involves close relatives of Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, there are accusations that the police are trying to shield them.
According to the police version, the children were celebrating a birthday inside a car parked below the house. During this time, the gun accidentally fired, hitting Unaiz in the forehead. The driver and children then took him to Lokbandhu Hospital, where he died.
Lucknow Police DCP Nipun Agarwal stated, “On Monday evening, we received information that a 13-year-old boy had gone to a birthday party with three friends, where he died due to accidental firing. The three minor boys present at the party have been detained and are being questioned. A case has been registered based on the father’s complaint.”
Several questions are being raised:
- If the revolver was licensed in the name of Sanjeev Tripathi, how did it reach the minor boy?
- If the bullet struck exactly in the middle of Unaiz’s forehead, does that not suggest deliberate firing?
- In an accidental situation, could the bullet not have struck another part of the body?
- Why has Sanjeev Tripathi not been taken into custody for questioning?
- Is he being protected because he is the Deputy CM’s brother-in-law?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath often speaks about “zero tolerance” toward crime in Uttar Pradesh and claims the state is becoming crime-free. Critics say this case tests that claim. Will the government stand by its zero-tolerance policy, or will it protect relatives of powerful leaders?
Unaiz’s post-mortem was conducted on Tuesday, March 3. When his body was brought to Behsa village in Sarojini Nagar, a large crowd gathered and expressed anger against the administration and police by raising slogans.
Samajwadi Party MP R.K. Chaudhary from Mohanlalganj reached the spot, met the family, and assured them of justice. He said that if the police do not arrest all accused within two days and take action, they would be forced to launch a protest.
The incident and the police’s accidental firing narrative have raised questions about the state government’s zero-tolerance policy on crime. Now it remains to be seen how strictly the government adheres to its stated policy.
