Love in time of politics: Woman pradhan, hubby, sons shot dead by rival

Sambhal: A political rivalry followed by a secret marriage turned tragic for a woman gram pradhan here who along with her husband and two sons were shot dead by assailants at a village under Chandausi tehsil.
According to police, Shakuntala Devi, 55, her husband Vishambhar Singh, 60, and their two sons -- Sushil, 25, and Sunil, 30 -- were shot point blank by her political rival Mahesh, his son Govinda and 10 other aides at Chavda village on Wednesday evening.Sunil had allegedly married Mahesh’s daughter at a secret ceremony a year back. But the marriage soon turned sour and the girl was recently sent back to her paternal house.
Hearing the gunshots, neighbours rushed to the family’s rescue to find the four of them lying in a pool of blood. Sunil succumbed to his injuries on his way to the district hospital in Moradabad.
Deputy inspector general of police (DIG), Moradabad range, Onkar Singh, SP Bhushan and circle officer Suresh Babu rushed to the spot along with other officials. A team of forensic experts and sniffer dogs were also sent to collect evidence. Four police teams have been formed to arrest the culprits.
Sambhal superintendent of police Balendu Bhushan said both Devi and Mahesh’s family were at loggerheads after last year’s election results and the situation only worsened after Devi’s family sent their daughter-in-law back to Mahesh’s house.
“Accused Mahesh, his son Govinda and the 10 other accomplices barged into Devi’s house and started firing indiscriminately at them. We have formed four teams to arrest the culprits,” said Singh
The DIG suspended station house officer (SHO) of Kud Fathegrah police station, Shahid Ali, its sub inspector and constable on Thursday for dereliction of duty.