Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh): The brutal murder of a seven-year-old Muslim boy has shaken Azamgarh, raising concerns over communal hatred and police negligence. The body of Shazeb Ali, son of Mukarram Ali, was discovered inside a sack hanging from a tree near his home on Thursday, a day after he went missing.
Family members alleged that police initially refused to file a missing complaint, asking them to wait 24 hours. By the next morning, Shazeb’s mutilated body with his throat slit was found. His devastated mother, Jasmeen, recalled her son’s dreams of success, crying, “I have lost my innocent child forever.”
Police identified the accused as neighbour Sandeep Nigam alias Mantu, who locals said often lured the child with sweets. The family believes the murder was not only a personal crime but rooted in communal hatred, citing years of hostility with the Hindu neighbour.
The tragedy has sparked outrage in the Muslim community. Relatives demanded justice and the demolition of the accused’s house, as has been seen in other high-profile cases. “If the chief minister does not act, we will seek justice ourselves,” Jasmeen warned.
Superintendent of Police Dr. Anil Kumar confirmed the family had received a ransom call on the morning of the killing. While police are investigating links to both a ransom demand and land disputes, community leaders argue the crime was driven by religious animosity.
Heavy police deployment has been ordered in the area to prevent escalation.
