In a chilling case that has stunned Uttar Pradesh’s capital, a young man in Lucknow allegedly shot his father dead, dismembered the body, and concealed the remains inside a blue drum at their home. What initially appeared to be a crime driven by mounting pressure over competitive exams has now taken a darker turn, with investigators probing a possible link to a jewellery theft within the family months earlier.

The incident, which unfolded in the Ashiana area of Lucknow, has exposed a tragic mix of academic pressure, family conflict, and a potential criminal secret that may have intensified tensions inside the household.

The Crime That Shocked Lucknow

The victim, Manvendra Singh, aged between 49 and 50 according to police records, was a businessman with interests in a pharmaceutical business and liquor trade. He was also identified as the owner of Vardhman Pathology, a pathology lab in the city. Originally from Jalaun district, Singh came from a family with a law enforcement background—his father is a retired police officer, and his younger brother is currently posted with the Uttar Pradesh Police at the secretariat.

Singh had been reported missing on February 20. A missing person’s complaint was lodged at the Ashiana police station after he could not be traced. When police began investigating and visited his residence, they made a horrifying discovery—mutilated body parts hidden inside a blue drum kept within the house.

The prime suspect was his own son, Akshat Pratap Singh, aged between 19 and 21 as per varying reports.

The Heated Argument and Fatal Shot

According to police officials, the incident occurred on February 20 following a heated argument between father and son. While some reports indicate the altercation took place around 4:30 am, others mention 4:30 pm on Friday. What remains consistent is that the dispute centered around Akshat’s future and preparation for competitive exams—specifically the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

Singh reportedly wanted his son to pursue a medical career and repeatedly pressured him to prepare for and clear NEET. Akshat, who had passed Class XII with Biology and was later pursuing a B.Com degree, had allegedly failed NEET twice. Police sources say the father frequently scolded and pushed him to focus on competitive exams.

Tensions between the two were not new. Investigators revealed that arguments were frequent, and Akshat had even run away from home once due to disagreements over his career path.

On the day of the murder, another confrontation erupted. In a fit of rage, Akshat allegedly picked up a licensed rifle and shot his father. A ricocheted bullet was later recovered from the room where the shooting occurred. Both the rifle and the bullet have been sent for forensic examination.

Shockingly, the accused allegedly shot his father in front of his sister and threatened her into silence.

Dismemberment in Broad Daylight

After the fatal shooting, the brutality escalated.

Police say Akshat dragged his father’s body from the third floor of the house to the ground floor. In a vacant room, he began dismembering the body. Despite his sister witnessing the horrifying scene, he allegedly continued the act, threatening her to remain quiet.

Body parts were packed in plastic. Some were loaded into his car and transported to Sadrauna (also reported as Sadarona), an isolated location near Lucknow, where they were dumped. The head was also reportedly disposed of there, though it has not yet been recovered.

Other remains, including the torso, were hidden inside a blue drum kept within the house. Some body parts were also recovered from the ground floor of the residence.

Investigators believe Akshat intended to dispose of the remaining parts gradually to avoid suspicion.

The Arrest: Suspicion During Patrol

The case took a dramatic turn on Monday evening when a police patrol team noticed suspicious activity.

Akshat was reportedly in the process of disposing of another body part when officers stopped him. His inconsistent responses raised red flags. After intense questioning, he allegedly broke down and confessed.

“He was in the process of getting rid of the body part when we intervened,” a police source told media outlets. “His inconsistent statements raised red flags. Strict interrogation led to his confession,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Zone), Vikrant Veer.

Following the confession, police raided the house with the accused in custody and recovered the drum containing mutilated remains.

Forensic Examination and Ongoing Investigation

Senior officers inspected the crime scene after the recovery of the body parts. Forensic experts collected blood samples from the house and examined bloodstains in the car allegedly used to transport the remains.

Search operations are underway in Sadrauna village to recover missing body parts, including the head. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination in the presence of family members.

Police confirmed that a case will be registered under relevant sections based on the evidence collected, and further legal proceedings are underway.

Akshat has been taken into custody and remains under interrogation.

The Family Background

The Singh household had already endured tragedy before this incident. Akshat’s mother passed away in 2018, leaving behind her husband, son, and daughter. The daughter is currently studying in Class XI.

Akshat reportedly managed a liquor store owned by his father and received a monthly salary of Rs 17,000. However, investigators suggest he was dissatisfied with his circumstances.

Police also noted that he had performed well academically in Class XII, particularly in Biology, which may have strengthened his father’s insistence on a medical career.

The NEET Pressure Angle

Initially, the case appeared to be a stark example of extreme academic pressure turning fatal. According to Akshat’s confession, he killed his father because he was being constantly pressured to crack NEET.

The competitive medical entrance exam is known for its intense preparation requirements and high stakes. Police sources confirmed that Singh frequently pushed his son to prepare seriously and secure admission to a medical college.

Repeated arguments over NEET preparation allegedly created a toxic atmosphere at home. On the day of the murder, the dispute reportedly began when Singh asked his son to focus on his studies.

But as investigators dug deeper, another disturbing angle emerged.

The Fresh Twist: Jewellery Theft Link

In a new development, police uncovered a possible connection between the murder and an earlier jewellery theft within the family.

Around four months before the incident, a robbery was reported at the Singh residence. A police complaint had been registered after several valuables were stolen from the house.

During the course of the current investigation, police found that Singh had allegedly discovered his son’s involvement in that jewellery theft. After suspecting Akshat’s role in the missing valuables, the father reportedly began closely monitoring his activities.

This surveillance and growing mistrust are believed to have further strained the father-son relationship.

Investigators now suspect that the murder may not have been solely about NEET pressure but also tied to fear of exposure or escalating tensions over the alleged theft.

A Tragedy of Conflict and Consequence

The Lucknow blue drum murder case is a grim reflection of escalating domestic conflict. It intertwines multiple layers—academic pressure, financial dissatisfaction, alleged theft, and fractured trust within a grieving family that had already lost its matriarch.

From the licensed rifle used in a moment of rage to the calculated attempt to dispose of evidence, the crime has left investigators and the public grappling with its brutality.

As forensic teams continue their work and search operations persist in Sadrauna village, authorities are piecing together the full sequence of events.

What began as a missing person report has unfolded into one of the most disturbing criminal cases in Lucknow in recent times.

Police maintain that based on the evidence collected, appropriate charges will be filed, and the legal process will follow.

The tragedy underscores a haunting reality—when unresolved tensions, secrecy, and pressure collide within the confines of a home, the consequences can be devastating beyond imagination.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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