Lucknow Triple Murder: Five Relatives of Main Accused Arrested, LDA Demolishes Part of His House

LUCKNOW: The investigation into the killing of three members of a family in Lucknow has widened, with police arresting five relatives of the alleged gunman and the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) launching demolition work at his residence over alleged unauthorised construction.

The developments followed a fatal neighbourhood confrontation in the Saadatganj area, where three members of the Tiwari family were shot dead in broad daylight on Monday.

The incident, reportedly triggered by an argument over parking, has raised serious questions about the handling of an earlier dispute between the two families.

The five people taken into custody late Tuesday night are Dinesh Shukla, 62, father of the principal accused Rishabh Shukla; his sister Aditi, 24; his uncles Satish, 69, and Girish, 78; and Priya, 38, Girish’s married daughter.

According to a police officer, the names of these relatives figured in the murder complaint filed by Ruchi, wife of one of the deceased. She alleged that they had assaulted her husband and other members of the family and encouraged Rishabh to carry out the killings.

Police are also looking for another uncle of Rishabh, identified as Rajesh, who has been named as an accused in the case.

Three deaths following a neighbourhood confrontation

The shooting took place in Brahmani Tola locality of Saadatganj on Monday. The victims were identified as Shivendra Tiwari, 54, his elder brother Shivaji Tiwari, 63, and Shivaji’s son Suyash, 29.

The alleged shooter, Rishabh Shukla, 34, who reportedly works in the Merchant Navy, was apprehended at the scene shortly after the firing.

According to the police account, tensions erupted after a member of the Tiwari family parked a vehicle outside their residence, prompting an objection from Shukla. What began as a disagreement reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation.

An eyewitness said Shukla went inside his house during the argument, returned carrying a pistol, and fired repeatedly at the neighbours. He allegedly continued shooting until the weapon’s magazine was exhausted.

Ruchi has claimed that the family had faced repeated intimidation from Rishabh, his uncle Rajesh and other relatives. According to her, disputes over seemingly minor matters had frequently turned into verbal confrontations and physical clashes.

Dispute over religious tree enclosure added to tensions

Investigators are also examining an earlier disagreement between the neighbours concerning construction around an old banyan tree situated in front of their houses.

Police said tensions had become more pronounced over the preceding two months after the local corporator initiated work on a concrete enclosure around the tree. Residents reportedly assemble there regularly to offer prayers.

While the Tiwari family supported the construction, the Shukla family objected to it, according to the police.

An officer said local police had intervened on two previous occasions to prevent confrontations and had warned both sides. Work on the enclosure had also remained suspended for several weeks because of the disagreement.

Victims’ family protest forces government intervention.

The killings triggered protests by the victims’ relatives, who initially refused to perform the last rites. They alleged that repeated complaints against Rishabh and his family had not resulted in effective police intervention.

The demonstration also received support from local BJP and RSS functionaries, who said Shivaji Tiwari was associated with the RSS.

The situation prompted Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak to visit the bereaved family along with Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal. Pathak assured the relatives that the government would pursue the case firmly and that the accused would face stringent legal action.

He announced that the trial would be taken up by a fast-track court and said the government would consider action under the National Security Act (NSA).

Pathak also announced that Ruchi would be appointed Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Lucknow Municipal Corporation. The government, he said, would arrange police protection for the family and meet the educational expenses of the deceased’s daughter.

The Deputy Chief Minister subsequently joined the funeral proceedings after the protest was called off. He also indicated that unauthorised constructions associated with the accused would face administrative action.

Two police officers suspended over alleged failure to act

The police department has also initiated action against personnel posted in the area following allegations that earlier complaints were not dealt with adequately.

Lucknow Police Commissioner Tarun Gauba ordered the suspension of Saadatganj police station SHO Santosh Kumar Arya and Ajay Chaurasia, the sub-inspector heading the Kashmiri Mohalla police outpost.

Gauba confirmed that departmental proceedings had been ordered to examine whether there had been negligence in handling the earlier complaints and disputes between the families.

The administrative action, along with the arrests and demolition drive, followed the public outcry over the incident and demands for accountability.

Victims’ family left devastated by loss

The tragedy has also cast a shadow over the personal lives and plans of the victims’ family. Suyash, who operated an electrical hardware business, was due to marry on December 5.

His father, Shivaji, was a retired Secretariat employee. The three deaths have left the family facing an enormous personal loss even as the investigation continues.

Police are pursuing the remaining accused and examining the sequence of events leading to the shooting, including the allegations of previous harassment and the handling of complaints by the local police.