Azamgarh: The brutal murder of a 7-year-old Muslim boy has shocked Uttar Pradesh and sparked anger among locals, activists, and political leaders. The child, identified as Shahzeb, went missing on Wednesday evening after returning from tuition. His body was found the next morning inside a sack hanging from a gate in the Sidhari area.
Relatives accused a neighbour, Shailendra Kumar Nigam, also known as Mantu, of killing the boy. Family members alleged that the murder was linked to a “sacrifice” to a deity, though police said investigations are ongoing and no motive has been confirmed. Shahzeb’s father, Saheb Alam, who runs a hardware shop, described his son as “studious and intelligent” and the eldest of three siblings. “We had good terms with the family. I don’t know why they did this,” he said.
An initial kidnapping case was filed late Wednesday night at Sidhari Police Station. By Thursday, Shahzeb’s mutilated body was recovered, according to relatives. His aunt, Sumaiyya, said the boy was last seen with Nigam. “When I asked him, he said he had dropped him, but Shahzeb never returned,” she recalled.
Police arrested Nigam and another man, Raja Nigam, on Thursday evening while they were allegedly trying to escape near a dental college. Both were injured during what police described as an encounter. Officers recovered two pistols, live cartridges, and spent shells from the accused.
Members of the Rashtriya Ulama Council visited the family and demanded strict punishment. Political leaders including Pawan Khera and Sadaf Jafar condemned the killing, calling it a deliberate act of terror and a deep wound to society.
