The body of Shivani Verma, a 25-year-old government school teacher who was brutally shot dead in Bihar, was brought to her ancestral village in Rae Bareli's Pindouli on Thursday. Her last rites were performed under a heavy security blanket, marking a tragic end to a promising life cut short by violence.
A Promising Career Cut Short by Bullets
Shivani Verma, who was posted at a government school in Araria district, Bihar, was on her way to work on Wednesday morning when two men on a motorcycle opened fire. The attack proved fatal. The incident sent shockwaves through the community and highlighted the dangers faced by women professionals.
Shivani, along with her two elder sisters, had successfully cleared the competitive Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination in 2023, embarking on a career in public education. Her eldest sister, Anjali, is posted in Patna, while her other sister, Jyoti, serves in Samastipur. Their father works as a revenue inspector in the Ramnagar tehsil of Barabanki district.
Arrest Made, But Family Alleges Larger Conspiracy
In a swift development, police arrested the prime accused, identified as Ranjeet, from his home in Araria on Thursday. Ranjeet was also a teacher posted at the same school as Shivani. However, the victim's family is convinced that more people were involved in what they call a premeditated and cruel attack.
Speaking to the media, Anjali Verma, Shivani's sister, made serious allegations. She claimed that Ranjeet, who hails from Varanasi, had been pressuring Shivani for marriage for over a year. "He kept forcing her for marriage and when she refused, he got angry. We strongly suspect his role," Anjali stated. She demanded strict action against everyone involved in the crime.
Allegations of Systemic Harassment at Workplace
The family's allegations point towards a troubling work environment. Anjali also accused the school's headmaster of harassing Shivani. She claimed the headmaster denied Shivani her entitled special leave, forcing her to lodge a complaint at the District Education Officer's (DEO) office. "The DEO had scolded him publicly. There were reports that the headmaster had harassed other teachers. Maybe he felt his image was tarnished," Anjali speculated.
Describing Shivani as a quiet and reserved person, Anjali revealed, "We believe she was being mentally harassed at the school for a long time." These statements suggest the murder might be the extreme outcome of sustained pressure and harassment.
Investigation Ongoing, More Arrests Likely
Local police authorities have confirmed that an investigation into the murder is actively underway. They have not ruled out the possibility of making further arrests as the probe progresses to uncover the complete motive and identify all accomplices.
The tragic killing of Shivani Verma has raised urgent questions about the safety of women employees, especially in remote postings, and the mechanisms to address workplace harassment within government institutions.
