"Saved Their Honour": Shocking Family Tragedy in Lucknow’s Sharanjit Hotel

Lucknow: In a chilling and tragic turn of events, a 24-year-old man, Arshad, has confessed to murdering his mother and four sisters at Hotel Sharanjit in Lucknow. The victims have been identified as Asma (the mother), and Alia (9), Alshia (19), Aksa (16), and Rahmeen (18), Arshad’s sisters.

Arshad, in a recorded video, claimed he killed them to "save their honour" from alleged threats by land mafias in their hometown, Budaun. He alleged that the family's home was captured by neighbors who planned to traffick his sisters. "I killed my sisters to protect them from being sold," Arshad said in the disturbing footage.

The video, which surfaced hours after the crime, revealed Arshad admitting to choking the victims and slitting their wrists, a gruesome act allegedly aided by his father. He accused specific individuals, naming them as Ranu, Aftab, Aleem Khan, Salim, Arif, Ahmad, and Azhar, blaming them for their family’s tragic plight.

Arshad claimed that these individuals harassed the family, leading to 15 days of homelessness in the bitter cold. The accused further stated that the family sought help but were ignored. Desperate, they even considered conversion for peace. “No family in India should face this,” he lamented.

During his confession, Arshad appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for justice. He expressed a wish for a temple to be built on their land and the family’s belongings to be donated to an orphanage.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Raveena Tyagi confirmed the murders occurred at Hotel Sharanjit and that the police arrested Arshad at the scene. Forensic teams have gathered evidence, and investigations are ongoing.

The case has shocked Lucknow and highlighted allegations of unchecked land mafia activities. The tragedy underscores the severe emotional and societal pressures that led to this unimaginable act.