Prayagraj: Three elderly members of a family, including two women, were found murdered outside their home in Meja area of Prayagraj on Tuesday morning, police said.Police later arrested one accused, who was reportedly mounting pressure on the family to solemnise the marriage of the girl of the family with him.The deceased were identified as Shyam Lal alias Kalloo, 65, and his two sisters-in-law, Amravati Devi, 58, and Indravati Devi, 60.The killers, however, spared Shyam Lal’s wife Phoolkali, who is reportedly mentally ill.All three bodies were lying near the doorstep of the house and bore serious head injuries.DCP (Yamuna Nagar) Vivek Chandra Yadav told TOI that preliminary investigations suggest that the victims were killed after being struck on the head with a blunt object.Family members named their neighbour, Himanshu Yadav alias Sunny, and others.Police said Himanshu was having an affair with a girl from the victims’ family and was a frequent visitor to the house. However, the girl’s family was opposed to the union. This had earlier led to a dispute that was resolved by the village head.Police said on Monday night, Himanshu reached the girl’s house in an inebriated state and had an altercation with Shyam Lal. As the elderly man slapped Himanshu, he along with his friend, killed them.Villagers told senior police officials that most family members work outside the state and only a few relatives were staying at the house.Following the incident, a sub-inspector posted at Meja police outpost was placed under suspension regarding the incident.
