Police recovered mutilated remains from a house in Ashiyana after a missing complaint exposed an alleged killing linked to a long-running dispute over competitive exam pressure.
Police officials and locals seen in a residential locality. | IANS
Lucknow was shaken on Monday after police said a 19-year-old youth allegedly shot his father dead during an argument over career choices, dismembered the body and hid the torso inside a blue drum at their residence in the Ashiyana area.
The case, which first surfaced as a missing person complaint, took a grim turn when investigators said the accused confessed during questioning. The victim, 49-year-old pathology lab owner Manvendra Singh, had been reported missing on February 20. What began as a routine probe has now turned into a chilling murder investigation, with forensic teams combing through the house and vehicle for evidence.
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According to police, Akshat Pratap Singh had himself lodged a missing person complaint on February 20. When there was little headway in tracing the victim, local residents pressed the police to intensify the probe.
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Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Vikrant Veer told IANS that a missing case was registered at Ashiyana police station for Manvendra Singh, who had been missing since the morning of February 20.
“During the investigation, it was revealed today that his son, Akshat Pratap Singh, aged about 19, shot him dead with a rifle at around 4:30 AM on the same day,” the DCP said.
Police said the crime occurred following a heated argument between father and son. Investigators said tensions had been brewing over pressure to clear the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) and pursue a medical career.
In a fit of anger, the accused allegedly used a licensed rifle to shoot his father. Officials said the shooting took place in front of the victim’s daughter, whom the accused allegedly threatened to keep silent.
A senior officer involved in the probe said a ricocheted bullet was recovered from the room where the shooting occurred. The rifle and bullet have been sent for forensic examination.
Police said that after the killing, Akshat allegedly dragged the body from the third floor to the ground floor of the house, where he cut it into pieces.
Some parts were reportedly placed in his car and transported to Sadrauna, a secluded area, where they were dumped. The head was also disposed of at the same location, though it has not yet been recovered, officials said.
When he allegedly attempted to dispose of the torso on Monday evening, a police patrol stopped him after noticing suspicious behaviour. Following sustained questioning, he confessed to the crime.
The torso was later recovered from a blue drum inside the house, while other remains had been transported and discarded elsewhere.
“To hide the body and remove evidence, the accused chopped the body and threw some parts away at various locations, while the torso had been kept hidden in the ground floor of the house,” DCP Veer said.
Police said Akshat told investigators he killed his father because he was being pressured to crack NEET and pursue medicine.
According to officials, the youth managed a liquor store owned by his father and earned a monthly salary of Rs 17,000, but was reportedly unhappy. The father wanted him to prepare for competitive examinations, while the son was opposed to the plan.
Investigators said the two frequently argued over the issue, and the youth had earlier left home due to similar disagreements.
On Monday evening, police raided the house with the accused in custody and recovered the drum containing the mutilated remains.
Forensic teams are examining bloodstains found in the car and inside the house. Search operations are ongoing to locate the missing body parts, including the head.
DCP Veer said the accused has admitted to the crime, and further investigation is underway to piece together the complete sequence of events.
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