Etah | Four of a Family Brutally Murdered in Daylight, Police Probe Intensifies

Etah: A shocking quadruple murder in Nagla Premi village on Shikohabad Road has sent shockwaves across Etah district. Four members of the same family were brutally killed inside their two-storey house on the afternoon of January 19, 2026.

The deceased have been identified as Ganga Singh Shakya (70), his wife Shyama Devi (65), their daughter-in-law Ratna Devi (48), and granddaughter Jyoti (22). All four were attacked with a brick or heavy blunt object, sustaining fatal injuries to the head and face.

According to police, the attack occurred around 2 pm, when the victims were alone at home. The crime came to light when Devansh, the minor grandson of the family, returned from school and found the bodies. Ganga Singh was found dead on the ground floor, while Shyama Devi, Ratna Devi, and Jyoti were lying in pools of blood on the first floor. The child ran outside screaming and alerted neighbours.

Shyama Devi was rushed to Etah Medical College in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries during treatment. The remaining three were declared dead at the scene. Post-mortem examinations of all four have been completed.

Jyoti, an MA graduate, was employed with HDFC Bank in Noida and had not resumed work after her god bharai ceremony on October 1, 2025. Her wedding was scheduled for February 10, 2026, in Chandigarh. At the time of the incident, Kamal Singh, son of the deceased couple, was at the family’s medical store located near the Sunhari Nagar Gate.

Senior police officials, including ADG Agra Anupam Kulshrestha, DIG Aligarh Prabhakar Chaudhary, SSP Shyam Narayan Singh, and Additional SP Shwetabh Pandey, reached the spot soon after the incident. Forensic and dog squads were deployed for evidence collection.

Police confirmed that no household items were disturbed, ruling out robbery or theft as a motive. CCTV footage from nearby houses is being examined, and call detail records (CDRs) are under scrutiny. Preliminary CCTV review reportedly shows no entry by outsiders, strengthening suspicion that the perpetrator may be someone familiar with the family.

During the investigation, the sniffer dog repeatedly stopped near a vacant plot behind the house, approaching it through different routes and returning to the same spot, prompting police to focus their probe in that direction. Investigators have also noted the presence of a rear exit door, which is being examined as a possible escape route.

Police stated that neighbours were unaware of the incident at the time it occurred, as the murders were carried out silently. Family members have told investigators that there were no known enmities or disputes.

“There are strong indications, based on evidence collected so far, that the perpetrator may be someone close to the family. We are very close to a breakthrough,” said ADG Anupam Kulshrestha, adding that the case is being investigated from all angles.

As of January 20, 2026, no arrests have been made, but police teams continue questioning locals and analysing forensic and electronic evidence. Authorities have assured that the case will be solved soon.