A 24-year-old man has been arrested after the bodies of his mother and four sisters were found in a hotel room on January 1 in Lucknow, India. The man, identified only as Arshad, reportedly confessed to killing his family following a New Year’s Eve dispute.
The victims, Arshad’s sisters Aliya (9), Aqsa (16), Rehmeen (18), Alsiha (19), and his 45-year-old mother, were discovered in a room at Hotel Sharan Jeet. Deputy Police Commissioner Raveena Tyagi confirmed the discovery, stating that Arshad, a resident of Agra, was detained after admitting to the murders.
During preliminary questioning, Arshad explained that the killings were the result of a family dispute. Authorities are conducting further investigations, including speaking with hotel staff and reviewing witness statements. Some of the bodies showed signs of injury, including marks on the wrists and necks, suggesting possible strangulation or stabbing.
The family had arrived at the hotel on December 30 to celebrate the New Year. Arshad allegedly drugged the food and drinks he served to his family before killing them. After the murders, he filmed a video in which he showed the bodies and claimed that he killed his family to protect their “honour” from local people who had harassed them.
In the 6.55-minute video, which went viral on social media, Arshad stated that he and his family had been subjected to “unimaginable atrocities” by people in their neighborhood, who he accused of attempting to seize their home. He claimed that they were forced to sleep on the streets for 15 days after losing their house and were facing constant harassment. Arshad explained that he felt “helpless” and believed that killing his family was the only way to save them.
Arshad also made accusations against local land mafia and women traffickers, calling for action from the state’s Chief Minister. He claimed that his family was being targeted to have his sisters trafficked, and that he killed them to protect their honour.
The video also showed Arshad’s father, Mohammed Badar, allegedly assisting in the murders. After committing the crime, Arshad reportedly dropped his father off at a railway station before walking into a police station to confess. In the video, Badar was seen holding the neck of one of his daughters, who he claimed was still conscious while the video was being filmed.
Police are continuing to investigate, and while Arshad has been arrested, they are still searching for his father. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and collecting evidence to confirm the exact details of the crime. The murder weapons, including a blade and a dupatta, have been recovered based on Arshad’s statements.
Neighbours of the accused have denied his claims, describing him as a “psycho” and stating that he and his father were known for causing trouble in the neighborhood.
Senior police officers confirmed that both Arshad and his father are the prime suspects in the case, with Arshad in custody and a manhunt underway for his father.
