Lucknow witnessed a chilling crime on Tuesday as a 24-year-old man, Arshad, allegedly killed his mother and four sisters in a hotel room. The family, originally from Agra, had been staying in the hotel since December 30. The victims—Arshad’s mother, Asma, and his sisters aged 9, 16, 18, and 19—were found with slash wounds and signs of strangulation.

Police investigations revealed that Arshad served his family intoxicating food and alcohol before the crime. Post-mortem reports are awaited to confirm the exact cause of death. The suspect claimed he acted to protect his family from alleged exploitation by neighbors who, he said, eyed their Agra property and planned to sell his sisters in Hyderabad.

After committing the murders, Arshad recorded a video explaining his motives, which added a disturbing layer of complexity to the case. His father, Badar, who allegedly drank alcohol with Arshad before the incident, is also under suspicion but remains at large.

Lucknow Police Chief Raveena Tyagi stated that a heated family argument may have triggered the killings. DNA samples and forensic evidence from the crime scene are being analyzed.

The shocking incident has sparked public outcry, with Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand attributing the tragedy to unemployment, stress, and poverty. “It’s a sad reflection of societal pressures,” he said.

As investigations unfold, the tragic case has highlighted the devastating consequences of unchecked despair and familial discord, leaving a community reeling in grief and disbelief.