A mum and her four daughters have been found dead inside a hotel room, with police fearing they were murdered by the woman’s son.
The tragic incident, believed to have been sparked by a heated argument, unfolded at a hotel in Lucknow, India on New Year’s Eve. Some of the victims also showed signs of injury.
The victims have been named as Asma and her daughters Alia, nine, Aksa, 16, Rahmeen, 18, and Alshia, 19. A 24-year-old man named as Arshad was arrested at the scene, with police still searching for his father Badar.
Arshad is said to have recorded a video after the incident, in which he claimed he killed his family out of fear for their safety. He also claimed the family’s neighbours were interested in their property in Agra and intended to sell his sisters in the city of Hyderabad.
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A forensic team secured the crime scene at the Hotel Sharanjit in the Naka area of the city and took DNA samples, with an investigation launched. Police sources say Arshad’s mother and sisters had been given alcohol in the moments leading up to their deaths, the Mirror reports.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Raveena Tyagi said: “The accused, identified as Arshad (24), allegedly killed five members of his own family. Following the gruesome act, the local police promptly apprehended the accused from the crime scene.”
Joint Commissioner of Police Babloo Kumar explained that inquiries were “being conducted with nearby hotel staff” and added: “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.”
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