In a tragic case of mistaken identity, a young teacher in Bihar's Araria district was shot dead by hired assailants who targeted the wrong woman. The victim, 25-year-old Shivani Verma, lost her life on December 3 while on her way to school.
Wrong Target in a Love Triangle Plot
The Araria Police, after a detailed investigation, revealed that the murder was the result of a horrific error. The main conspirator, identified as Husn Ara, had allegedly hired shooters to eliminate her husband's girlfriend, a teacher who traveled the same route.
"The main conspirator, Husn Ara, hired two people, Raja and Chhotu, for Rs 3 lakh to kill her husband's girlfriend," stated Araria SP Anjani Kumar. The criminals had conducted reconnaissance on the intended target, but on the day of the incident, that specific teacher was on leave.
A Fatal Case of Confusion
The police explained that both Shivani Verma and the other teacher used to commute on red scooters along the same route. This similarity led to the fatal confusion. As Shivani was on her way to school, bike-borne assailants shot her in the neck.
Based on CCTV footage and technical investigation, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was able to trace the accused. So far, three individuals have been arrested:
- Husn Ara (main conspirator)
- Md Maroof (shooter)
- Md Sohail (shooter)
The search continues for the other two accused, Raja and Chhotu. The police have also recovered crucial evidence, including the motorcycle used in the crime, a country-made pistol, and the clothes worn by the criminals.
A Promising Life Cut Short
Shivani Verma, a native of Uttar Pradesh, was a dedicated educator who had cleared the BPSC TRE-1.0 exam in 2023. She had been posted in Araria for two years. Her elder sister, Julie, shared poignant details about Shivani's life and aspirations.
"We three sisters cleared the exam together. I got posted in Patna, our second sister Jyoti in Samastipur, and Shivani in Araria," Julie said. The sisters would often meet on Sundays. Shivani was ambitious and aimed to clear the UPSC examination, dedicating her time after school to preparation.
The investigation has confirmed that Shivani Verma had no connection whatsoever to the intended target or the conspirator's personal dispute. Her death is a stark reminder of the collateral damage wrought by personal vendettas and hired violence.
