By Team Clarion

NEW DELHI — Twenty-one days after the murder of a Hindu youth, the house of the main accused, Sameer Idris, was demolished by the administration in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur on Thursday. The action left his family members in tears and questioning why they should lose their home over an alleged crime by one person.

Gautam Maurya, a 20-year-old cycle-repair worker, was allegedly killed in Kamalnayanpur under Kant police station limits on July 31 over an issue involving unsolicited calls to a woman.

The demolition comes as police continue to investigate the murder. According to police, the killing followed a dispute linked to an Instagram post involving the woman.

Police said the post-mortem examination found 16 deep knife wounds on Maurya’s body.

On Thursday, two JCB machines were brought to Sameer’s house in Kant Ke Kamlainayanpur village, where around 50 police personnel were deployed. Before the bulldozers moved in, 15-20 labourers reportedly entered the house and removed belongings and dismantled parts of the interior.

Officials said they acted on a local-body notice stating the construction lacked an approved map.

Anisa, a woman from the accused’s family, broke down while speaking about the action. “What is our fault? We are innocent, so why is our house being demolished? Where will we go?” she said.

The family questioned why relatives who are not accused should be punished by losing their home.

As the investigation progressed, police arrested several people, including members of Sameer’s family. His father, brother and cousin were among those arrested, while Ashwani, the brother of the woman, was also taken into custody.

Police are examining call records, mobile phones and social media activity. According to police, Maurya had allegedly been calling Ashwani’s sister from different numbers, after which she informed her brother and Sameer about the calls.

The criminal allegations against the accused remain subject to ongoing investigation and judicial process.

This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.