Agra Man Arrested for Alleged Murder of Family in Lucknow; Claims 'Harassment' by Locals in Video

PTI and AGENCIES, LUCKNOW, JAN 1, 22025 -- A 24-year-old man from Agra has been arrested after allegedly murdering his mother and four sisters in a hotel room in Lucknow. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday at Hotel Sharanjeet, located in the busy Naka area of the city. According to police, the accused, identified as Mohammad Arshad, took the lives of his family members by slitting their throats and wrists.

Following the crime, Arshad reportedly recorded a video in which he claimed that he was driven to commit the act due to "helplessness and despair" from alleged harassment by people in his locality. In the 6.5-minute video, which surfaced on social media shortly after the incident, Arshad expressed his belief that the atrocities inflicted upon him and his family by the locals were unbearable.

Central Lucknow Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Raveena Tyagi confirmed that the police swiftly apprehended Arshad at the crime scene. The victims were identified as his mother, Asma, and his sisters Alia (9), Alshia (19), Aksa (16), and Rahmeen (18). Arshad’s family had been residing in Agra, and preliminary investigations suggest that domestic disputes may have played a role in the tragedy.

Forensic teams were deployed to the scene to gather evidence, and a detailed investigation has been launched. Police are also searching for Arshad's father, whom he mentioned in his video, claiming that his father was involved in the killings. Authorities are examining the video for further information.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Headquarters) Babloo Kumar stated that inquiries are also being conducted with hotel staff and witnesses. "Some of the bodies recovered show signs of injuries, including marks on the wrists and necks, which are being carefully examined," he added.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the Islam Nagar neighborhood in the Tehri Bagia area of Kuberapur in Agra, where Arshad's family lived. Local residents and authorities are struggling to come to terms with the brutal nature of the crime, and the investigation continues.

In his video, Arshad claimed that the harassment by people in his locality was unbearable, leading him to take the extreme step. "I, along with my entire family, am forced to take this step in helplessness and desperation.