A shocking murder inside a quiet Lucknow neighborhood has left residents and students in disbelief after a 17-year-old BCA student was found dead in her own home with deep injuries to her throat. Police have alleged that the teenager was murdered by one of her classmates, who was later discovered lying injured beside her in what investigators believe was an attempt to harm himself after carrying out the crime.
The incident took place in Narpatkheda under the Para police station limits on Wednesday evening. The victim, identified as Smriti Pandey, was a first-year Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) student at TS Mishra College. Her body has been sent for a post-mortem examination as investigators continue to piece together the sequence of events that led to the brutal killing.
According to police, Smriti was alone at home for most of the day after her younger sister, Jagriti, had left for college. The family members were away in their native village in Amethi earlier in the week, leaving the two sisters at home. When Jagriti returned in the evening, she encountered a horrifying scene.
Smriti was found lying in a pool of blood near a bed on the first floor of the house. Nearby was Devansh Pathak, an 18-year-old classmate of the victim, who was also covered in blood and suffering from serious injuries. Shocked by the sight, Jagriti immediately raised an alarm, prompting neighbours to alert the police.
Emergency responders rushed to the house and shifted Devansh to a hospital for treatment, while doctors confirmed Smriti had died from severe injuries. Police later secured the crime scene and began collecting forensic evidence to reconstruct the events leading up to the murder.
According to investigators, the initial evidence gathered from the scene indicated signs of a violent struggle. The victim had sustained deep cuts to her throat inflicted with a sharp-edged weapon. Officers recovered evidence from inside the house and questioned relatives, neighbours and college acquaintances to understand the relationship between the two students.
As the investigation progressed, police concluded that Devansh Pathak had allegedly murdered Smriti before attempting to injure himself. Officials believe the injuries found on the accused were self-inflicted after the attack, although investigators are continuing to verify every aspect of the case through forensic analysis and medical reports.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Kamlesh Dixit confirmed the developments while addressing reporters.
“Today, information was received about the murder of a girl in Narpatkheda under the Para police station area. Police reached the spot immediately. A 17-year-old girl was found dead with injury marks on her neck. A student from her class was also found lying nearby in an injured condition,” the officer said.
Police have not yet publicly disclosed the exact motive behind the alleged murder. Investigators are examining the communication history between the victim and the accused, including mobile phone records, digital evidence and statements from classmates, to determine what may have triggered the fatal attack.
The case has also drawn attention because both the victim and the accused were young college students. Investigators are expected to question classmates, faculty members and friends to establish whether there had been any previous disputes or warning signs before the incident.
Smriti came from a family with a strong service background. Her father, Shailendra Pandey, retired from the Indian Army as a Naib Subedar and currently serves as an NCC instructor in Kanpur. Her mother, Kiran Pandey, is a homemaker, while her brother, Sachindra Pandey, is preparing for the SSC examination in Prayagraj.
Family members had reportedly travelled to Amethi on Monday, leaving Smriti and her younger sister at their Lucknow residence. What was expected to be an ordinary day ended in tragedy, leaving the family devastated and the local community searching for answers.
The murder has once again raised concerns about violent crimes involving young adults and the need for early intervention when conflicts escalate. Experts often stress that educational institutions, families and communities play an important role in identifying behavioural changes, emotional distress and interpersonal conflicts before they develop into acts of violence.
Meanwhile, forensic teams continue to analyse evidence collected from the house. The post-mortem examination is expected to provide additional details regarding the timing and nature of the attack, while investigators continue questioning witnesses and examining digital evidence.
Police officials have stated that the investigation remains ongoing and that further legal action will be taken based on medical reports, forensic findings and additional evidence collected during the course of the inquiry. Authorities are expected to release more information as the investigation progresses.