Lucknow bizman murder: Son bought knives online to cut body; daughter’s role also under scanner amid ‘Papa laut aao’ drama

• Lucknow businessman killed, son accused of murder and cover-up
• Body dismembered, evidence burned, walls repainted to hide crime
• Police investigate family disputes, sister's involvement, and digital deceit.

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Five days after a Lucknow businessman was allegedly shot dead by his son, police say the investigation has now moved beyond the killing to what they describe as a carefully planned attempt to destroy evidence and mislead family members and authorities.

Singh’s body was allegedly cut into pieces and stuffed inside a blue plastic drum at the family’s home. Officers say the alleged cover-up began soon after the shooting in the early hours of February 20.

Investigators are also examining family tensions and financial disagreements that may have led to the crime.

Knives ordered online

Police claim that preparations for the crime may have begun a day earlier. During questioning, the accused, Akshat Pratap Singh, allegedly told investigators that he ordered two knives through the delivery app Blinkit. The knives were delivered to the house, India Today reported.

He is also said to have purchased a saw and a blue plastic drum from a local market. According to police, after the shooting, he used the knives and saw to cut off his father’s hands and legs. The body parts were then placed inside the drum, and some remains were kept in the boot of a car for disposal.

Family dispute and trigger

The deceased, Manavendra Singh, ran several pathology laboratories and licensed liquor shops in Lucknow. According to police, he had been urging his son Akshat to concentrate on his medical studies and clear the NEET examination.

However, investigators believe Akshat wanted to take charge of the family business instead. This difference allegedly led to frequent arguments in recent months. Police suspect that a fresh dispute hours before the shooting may have triggered the incident.

Blood-stained bedding burnt, walls repainted

Police said the gunshot caused heavy bleeding, soaking blankets, bedsheets and pillows. Small pieces of flesh were also found stuck to the fabric,

Investigators allege that Akshat packed the blood-stained bedding into sacks and took them to the Sadaruna canal area, where he burned them to destroy evidence. Partially burnt clothes and ashes were later recovered and sent for forensic tests.

Officers also found that parts of the room had been freshly painted. They believe the walls were repainted to hide blood stains caused by the shooting. The repainting is seen as part of a larger clean-up effort inside the house.

‘Papa Laut Aao’ drama

Police say there was also an attempt to create a false impression that Manavendra Singh was missing.

After the killing, Akshat allegedly created a WhatsApp group named “Papa Laut Aao” (Father, Please Come Back). He added his father’s friends and associates and posted emotional messages asking him to return home.

Investigators believe this was done to divert suspicion. Digital records of the group are now being examined as key evidence. Police said Akshat also joined friends in searching for his father while closely monitoring conversations in the group.

Role of sister under scanner

The role of Akshat’s sister Kriti is also being examined. Police said she was allegedly present in the room when the shooting happened around 4.30 am on February 20 and witnessed the incident.

However, she allegedly did not inform anyone for nearly 24 hours. Her statement was recorded only after prolonged questioning. Investigators are trying to determine whether her silence was due to fear or if she had any prior knowledge of the events.

Also, location data shows that Akshat travelled to Kakori later that day and switched on his phone there. Police suspect this may have been done to create a misleading digital trail suggesting he was away from home.

Another puzzling detail is that no other family members reported hearing the gunshot. Relatives, including his uncle’s family, were sleeping on another floor of the house at the time. They told police they were in deep sleep and unaware of the incident.