Lucknow Man Allegedly Kills Father, Dismembers Body; Arrested After Conflicting Statements
A 21-year-old commerce student has been arrested in Lucknow for allegedly killing his father and dismembering the body at their home in the city’s Ashiana area, police said on Monday. The case has shocked residents and raised troubling questions about family conflict and premeditated violence.
According to police officials, the incident took place in the early hours of February 20 at the family’s three-storey residence in Sector L, Ashiana. The accused, identified as Akshat Singh, is alleged to have shot his 49-year-old father, Manvendra Singh, with a licensed rifle following a heated argument.
Senior officers said the dispute centred on academic choices. The father had reportedly been pressuring his son to prepare for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), while the son wanted to continue with his B.Com studies. The disagreement had been ongoing for some time, officials added.
After the shooting, the accused allegedly moved the body from the upper floor to a ground-floor room in an attempt to avoid detection. Investigators say he then used tools available in the house to dismember the body. Some remains were reportedly transported in the family car and disposed of in a remote area near Sadrauna, while the torso and head were placed inside a blue plastic drum found in the house.
Police sources confirmed that the victim’s younger daughter, a Class 11 student, was present during the incident. She was allegedly threatened and warned not to speak about what had happened. Officers said her statement has been recorded as part of the ongoing investigation.
The case came to light after the father was reported missing. Initially, the son told relatives and police that his father had left for Delhi early in the morning and would return by afternoon. However, inconsistencies in his statements and the fact that the victim’s mobile phones were switched off raised suspicion.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Vikrant Vir said sustained questioning led to the accused’s confession. A police team later recovered the drum containing the remains from the house. Forensic experts are examining bloodstains found in the residence and the car, while search operations continue in the area where other body parts were allegedly disposed of.
Manvendra Singh was reportedly involved in the liquor trade and also operated a pathology laboratory in Kakori. The family originally hails from Jalaun district. His wife passed away nearly nine years ago.
Investigators are also examining whether the accused had drawn inspiration from a high-profile murder in Meerut last year, where a body was similarly dismembered and concealed in a drum. Police said the accused had read about that case on social media, though they have not confirmed any direct link beyond similarity in method.
The accused has been remanded to custody, and further legal proceedings are underway. Authorities are likely to file a detailed chargesheet after completing forensic analysis and gathering all statements.
The case has once again brought attention to domestic tensions and the importance of early intervention in family disputes. Police officials have urged citizens to report signs of escalating conflict to prevent such tragedies.
