Youth kills mother, 4 sisters in Lucknow; releases chilling video after crime

Lucknow: Five members of a family were murdered by a youth inside a hotel here early on Wednesday. The accused has been arrested, a senior police officer said.

The deceased have been identified as Alia (9), Alshia (19), Aksa (16) and Rahmeen (18) -- all sisters of the accused Arshad (24). The fifth is Asma, the mother of the accused, according to police.

Arshad also recorded a video following the crime. In the chilling video, Arshad claimed he carried out the killings to prevent his "sisters from being sold." The video, which surfaced just hours after the shocking crime, shows him alleging that neighbours and a land mafia in their hometown of Budaun had seized their house and were plotting to traffick his sisters.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central Lucknow, Raveena Tyagi, said the incident took place at Hotel Sharanjit in Naka area of the state capital. "The accused, identified as Arshad, allegedly killed five members of his own family. Following the gruesome act, the local police promptly apprehended the accused from the crime scene," Tyagi said. The DCP said Arshad is a native of Agra, adding the preliminary inquiry has revealed that he took the step because of domestic disputes.

The forensic teams have been deployed at the crime spot to collect evidence while a detailed probe has been launched into the matter, she said. "Inquiry is also being conducted with nearby hotel staff, and any findings will be shared with the media as soon as they come to light," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Headquarters) Babloo Kumar.

"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," he added.