Members of civil society and community activists took to the streets of Lucknow on Tuesday, organising a march to demand swift and transparent justice for 12-year-old Unaiz Khan, who was shot dead at point-blank range during a classmate’s birthday party in the Krishna Nagar area on March 2. Protesters raised slogans calling for accountability, an impartial investigation and strict action against those responsible, as allegations of foul play and concerns over unequal application of the law continue to grow.
What Happened on the Evening of March 2
Unaiz, a Class 7 student from Behsa village in Sarojini Nagar, left home around 3.30 in the afternoon after being picked up by friends to attend the birthday celebration of his classmate Navneet at the residence of Navneet’s father, Sanjeev Tripathi, a contractor, at Balaji Complex in LDA Colony, Barigawan. His father Zamir Khan had initially been reluctant to let him go, especially as Unaiz was observing a Ramzan fast that day.
At around 7 in the evening, Unaiz suffered a gunshot wound to the middle of his forehead and was rushed to Lokbandhu Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Police Say Accidental Firing; Family Alleges Deliberate Murder
Police described the shooting as accidental, stating that minors present at the party, including the birthday boy Navneet, were allegedly mishandling a licensed revolver, possibly taken from a parked car, when it discharged. Authorities detained three minors for questioning and registered an FIR at Krishna Nagar police station under murder, criminal intimidation and common intention sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Six individuals have been named in the FIR, including Sanjeev Tripathi and three minors.
The family strongly rejected the accidental firing narrative. They argued that a shot landing precisely in the middle of the forehead at point-blank range could not be the result of an accident and alleged that Unaiz was deliberately lured to the party, possibly in connection with a prior dispute at school. They said the police were too quick to label the death as accidental and accused authorities of shielding the accused.
Father’s Anguish Goes Viral
Unaiz’s father Zamir Khan confronted authorities in an emotional statement that was widely shared online. “If what happened to my child had happened to their child, there would have been police, flags, bulldozers, and my house would have been demolished. But so much time has passed, no action has been taken,” he said, directly pointing to what he described as a stark double standard in how the law is applied depending on the community of the victim and the accused.
Alleged Political Connection Raises Concerns
The demand for an independent investigation has been intensified by reports that Sanjeev Tripathi is allegedly related to Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak as a brother-in-law. The family and civil society groups have cited this alleged connection as a reason why the investigation cannot be left without independent oversight, warning against any possibility of a cover-up.
Wider Concerns Over Gun Safety and Equal Justice
The case has reignited a broader debate in Uttar Pradesh about the accessibility of licensed firearms in homes with children, child safety and whether investigations into crimes involving minority victims receive the same urgency and severity of response as those involving other communities.
A forensic examination of the seized firearm is currently underway, and the police investigation continues. Civil society groups say they will maintain pressure on the authorities until conclusive answers are provided and justice is delivered for Unaiz Khan and his grieving family.
