Overview

• Victim Hariom, from Fatehpur, was attacked near Unchahar while walking to his in-laws’ home; his body was found with multiple injuries near the Ishwardaspur railway halt.
• A widely shared video captures the victim faintly saying “Rahul Gandhi” as assailants say they are “Baba” supporters, a phrase Congress links to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
• Raebareli police registered a murder case, arrested five named suspects and suspended local personnel for alleged negligence, while urging the public not to spread caste-related claims and noting the accused are from varied social backgrounds.
• Rahul Gandhi spoke with the family; Congress leaders visited, demanded an SIT probe, compensation and a government job for a relative, and accused the state of a breakdown in law and order.
• The attack is tied by officials and local reporting to months of rumours about gangs using drones to scout homes across Uttar Pradesh, which spurred night patrols and vigilantism.