A 24-year-old man identified as Arshad allegedly murdered his mother and four younger sisters on New Year’s Eve in Lucknow, India, in what is being reported as a suspected honour killing.
According to Indian media, Arshad not only admitted to the horrible crime but also filmed a terrifying video in which he explained his acts and the aftermath.
The victims—Asma, the mother, and her four daughters—were discovered in a blood-soaked hotel room. Arshad was detained once the bodies were located.
According to the video, he claimed he killed them to “protect” them from neighbours who, he claimed, intended to sell his sisters in Hyderabad.
Arshad allegedly strangled his mother with a scarf, shoved a towel in her mouth, and then killed his sisters by slicing their wrists.
According to some sources, he spiked their food and drinks prior to the fatal attacks.
The horrible footage that has been circulating online has stunned the country.
Arshad identified his father, Badar, who is currently on the run, as an accomplice to the crime.
He said that their neighbours in Agra were pestering the family and tried to seize their land, prompting him to take such a dramatic step.
“I couldn’t let that happen,” he reportedly stated in the video.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Raveena Tyagi confirmed the incident, 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 scrutinising the area for evidence, while the police examine the circumstances 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. 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 disclosed 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 remains in custody.
