A tragic incident unfolded in Lucknow India on New Year’s Eve when a 24-year-old man, identified as Arshad, allegedly murdered his mother and four younger sisters in what is being reported as a suspected honour killing.
Indian media reported that Arshad not only confessed to the heinous crime but also recorded a chilling video in which he described his actions and showed the aftermath.
The victims—Asma, the mother, and her daughters Alia (9), Alshia (19), Aksa (16), and Rahmeen (18)—were found in a blood-soaked hotel room.
Arshad was arrested after their bodies were discovered. According to the video, he claimed he killed them to “protect” them from neighbours who, he alleged, planned to sell his sisters in Hyderabad.
Arshad reportedly strangled his mother with a scarf, stuffed cloth in her mouth, and then used similar methods to kill his sisters before slitting their wrists.
Some reports suggest he drugged their food and drink before the fatal attacks.
The gruesome footage, which has been circulating online, has shocked the nation.
Arshad implicated his father, Badar, who is now on the run, as an accomplice in the crime.
He alleged that their neighbours in Agra were harassing the family and attempting to seize their property, which pushed him to take such drastic action.
“I couldn’t let that happen,” he reportedly stated in the video.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Raveena Tyagi confirmed the grim discovery, saying, “Today, the bodies of five people were found in a room of Hotel Sharan Jeet. The local police reached the spot, and a person named Arshad, around 24 years old, a resident of Agra, was detained. In the preliminary interrogation itself, he said that due to a family dispute, he had killed his four sisters and mother. Further interrogation is being done.”
Forensic teams are examining the scene for evidence, while the police investigate the events leading up to the tragedy.
Joint Commissioner of Police Babloo Kumar said the family checked into the hotel on December 30.
“The hotel staff said they had come here on December 30, and their brother and father were also there. The matter is being further investigated.”
Kumar also revealed that some of the bodies showed injury marks: “Regarding the bodies recovered, some show signs of injuries—on the wrist of one, on the neck of another.
Based on these marks, statements from witnesses, and the post-mortem report, we are conducting a detailed investigation into the matter.”
Authorities continue to piece together the events, interviewing hotel staff and nearby witnesses, while Arshad remains in custody.
