In a shocking incident on New Year’s morning, a 24-year-old man, Arshad, was arrested for the brutal murder of his mother and four sisters in a hotel room in Uttar Pradesh’s capital. The accused filmed the aftermath of the killings, showing the lifeless bodies and explaining his actions in a video that has since circulated online.
According to reports, Arshad blamed his community in Agra and other individuals for the pressure and harassment that allegedly drove him to commit the crime. He claimed his family was being harassed over land disputes and faced threats of exploitation. The accused, along with his father Badar, planned and executed the murders. Following the killings, Arshad dropped his father at the railway station before heading to the police station to confess.
The family, originally from Agra, had traveled to Lucknow to celebrate the New Year. On December 31, they visited Ajmer before returning to Lucknow and checking into Hotel Sharanjeet in the Naka area. That night, Arshad reportedly strangled his mother, Asma, using her dupatta and stuffed cloth in her mouth. He then suffocated and slit the wrists of his sisters: Aliya (9), Alishiya (19), Aksa (16), and Raheeman (18).
In the video, Arshad stated that he and his father killed the women to “save their honor” and prevent them from being exploited. He also expressed a wish for a temple to be built on their family land and their belongings to be donated to an orphanage. Addressing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he urged justice for his family, claiming they had struggled and deserved peace.
Lucknow DCP Central Zone Raveena Tyagi revealed that Arshad confessed to the murders, citing domestic disputes and fear for his family’s safety as motives. Forensic teams have collected evidence from the crime scene, and CCTV footage from the railway station is being examined to locate Badar, who is currently on the run.
Murder weapons, including a blade and a scarf, have been recovered. The police are verifying the details of Arshad’s claims and analyzing the circulated video. Initial investigations suggest the family faced harassment over land disputes and had discussed converting to escape societal pressure.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the state. Neighbors and community members in Agra and Lucknow expressed disbelief, describing the family as reserved and under significant stress due to ongoing disputes. Authorities are urging social media users to refrain from sharing the video to respect the deceased’s dignity.
