The wife and two young daughters of a Muslim cleric were found brutally murdered inside their home in Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday. Police said the victims, 30-year-old Israna, wife of Imam Ibrahim, and their daughters Sofia (5) and Sumaiya (2), were discovered lying in pools of blood inside their residence located within the premises of Gangnauli village’s main mosque.
Imam Ibrahim, who serves as the head cleric of the Badi Masjid, was away in Deoband for work when the crime took place. The incident came to light when children who came for daily lessons at the mosque saw the bodies and raised an alarm.
Superintendent of Police Suraj Kumar Rai, Additional SP Praveen Kumar Chauhan, and Circle Officer Vijay Kumar reached the scene soon after receiving the information. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination.
As police tried to remove the bodies, angry villagers gathered at the spot demanding immediate justice. The situation grew tense until senior officials assured them that strict action would be taken.
Police said that two minors, aged 13 and 16, who were students of the cleric, have been arrested in connection with the killings. “The accused had been taking religious training at the mosque and had reportedly been scolded and punished by Imam Ibrahim. In anger, they planned the attack over several days and executed it when Ibrahim was away,” SP Suraj Kumar Rai said. Officers added that the minors had used a tool kept in the mosque compound to carry out the murders.
Deputy Inspector General (Meerut Range) Kalanidhi Naithani, who also visited the site, said, “We are investigating all possible angles, whether it is related to a family dispute, robbery, or personal enmity. Five teams have been formed, and the culprits will be arrested soon.”
Police said Ibrahim, originally from Sunna village in Muzaffarnagar district, had been serving at the Gangnauli mosque for the past four years. His wife, Israna, was known in the community for teaching children at the mosque’s compound.
The gruesome killings have left the village in shock, with residents describing the family as peaceful and respected. One villager said, “They were kind people who never quarreled with anyone. We can’t imagine who would do something like this.”
Authorities have stepped up security in the area while the investigation continues.
