Lucknow: In a spine-chilling incident that has sent shockwaves across Uttar Pradesh, a 21-year-old youth was arrested for allegedly murdering his father, dismembering the body, and concealing the remains inside a plastic drum. The gruesome crime took place in the upscale Ashiana area of Lucknow, following a heated argument over the son’s career path.
The Fatal Dispute The victim, identified as 50-year-old Manvendra Pratap Singh a successful businessman owning pathology labs and liquor stores, was reportedly shot dead by his son, Akshat Pratap Singh. According to police investigations, the friction between the two had been building for months. Manvendra wanted his son to focus on medical entrance exams (NEET), whereas Akshat was allegedly more interested in managing the family business directly without further studies.
On the morning of February 20, the dispute reached a breaking point. In a fit of rage, Akshat allegedly used his father’s licensed rifle to fire a fatal shot.
The Gruesome Cover-up. What followed was even more horrific. To eliminate evidence, Akshat allegedly dragged the body to the ground floor of their three-storey house. Police reports suggest he purchased a saw and a blue plastic drum to conceal the body. He reportedly dismembered the remains, disposing of the head and limbs at different locations across the city some as far as 21 kilometers away while stuffing the torso into the drum kept inside the house.
To avoid suspicion, the accused even filed a missing person report and created a WhatsApp group titled “Papa Laut Aao” (Father, please come back), pretending to search for his father alongside relatives and neighbors.
How the Plot Unraveled The crime came to light after police noticed glaring inconsistencies in Akshat’s statements. Forensic teams discovered bloodstains inside the house and traces of blood in the boot of the family car. Under sustained interrogation, the 21-year-old finally broke down and confessed to the crime.
“The motive appears to be deep-seated resentment over academic pressure and control over the business,” stated a senior police official. The accused’s younger sister, who was reportedly a witness to the aftermath and threatened into silence, is also being protected by the authorities.
The Lucknow police have recovered the weapon and the mutilated remains, sending them for post-mortem. Akshat Pratap Singh remains in custody as the investigation continues.
