Agra man kills mom, 4 sisters; cites ‘unimaginable atrocities by neighbours’

Lucknow, PTI: A 24-year-old man from Agra took his mother and four sisters to a hotel room here and allegedly killed them by slitting their throats and wrists on Wednesday, after which he recorded a video to say he did it because of “helplessness and despair” following “unimaginable atrocities” by people of his locality. Central Lucknow Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Raveena Tyagi said the incident took place at Hotel Sharanjeet in the busy Naka area of the city.

“The accused, identified as Mohammad 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,” she said. The deceased have been identified as Alia (9), Alshia (19), Aksa (16) and Rahmeen (18) -- all sisters of Arshad -- and his mother Asma, according to the police. The DCP said Arshad’s family lived in Agra and preliminary inquiry has revealed that he took the step because of domestic disputes. The purported video surfaced on social media shortly after the shocking incident came to light in which Arshad confessed to slitting the wrists and throats of his sisters and mother.

In the 6.5-minute selfie video, Arshad claimed his father was also involved in the killings. Assistant Commissioner of Police Dharmendra Kumar Singh told PTI: “Searches are underway for the father and his role in the killings.” Forensic teams have been deployed at the crime spot to collect evidence while a detailed probe has been launched into the matter, Tyagi said. Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Headquarters) Babloo Kumar, after arriving at the scene, told reporters, “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... Regarding the bodies recovered, some show signs of injuries on the wrist of one and 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.

Arshad claimed that he took the extreme step due to harassment and oppression by the residents of his locality. “I, along with my entire family, am forced to take this step in helplessness and despair... I have killed my sisters and myself. When the police get this video, I request that they hold the people of the locality responsible for all of this,” Arshad said. Meanwhile, the incident has sent shockwaves through Islam Nagar neighbourhood in the Tehri Baghia area of Kuberapur in Agra where the family resided. Neighbours in Agra described the family as reclusive and struggling with financial difficulties.