Chilling Details Emerge from Lucknow's Blue Drum Horror Case

Overview of the Lucknow Incident

A horrifying incident unfolded in the Ashiyana area of Lucknow on the morning of February 20, 2026, shocking the nation. A 21-year-old named Akshat Pratap Singh allegedly shot his father, Manvendra Singh, aged approximately 49-50, with a licensed rifle. Following the murder, he dismembered the body using a saw and concealed the torso in a blue plastic drum, while the head and limbs were discarded in the Sadarouna forest, located about 21 kilometers away.

Timeline of Events and Motives

Background

• Family Dynamics: Manvendra owned several pathology labs and liquor stores. After the death of his wife, he was raising his two children, Akshat and his 17-year-old sister Kriti, alone. Akshat, a B.Com student, faced pressure from his father to prepare for the NEET exam, as Manvendra aspired for him to become a doctor. Akshat, however, aimed to take control of the family business. Reports suggest conflicts over finances, liquor license renewals, theft, and personal disputes, including issues related to a girlfriend and missing cash.


• The Incident: A confrontation occurred around 4:30 AM on February 19-20, during which both were reportedly intoxicated. After Manvendra slapped Akshat and brandished the rifle, Akshat shot him in a fit of rage, resulting in his father's death.


• Cover-Up Attempt: Akshat transported the body from the third floor to the ground floor bathroom, where he used a saw purchased online to dismember it. He concealed the torso in a blue drum at home and disposed of the remaining parts in the forest over the next two days. Following the murder, he maintained a normal demeanor, even buying paneer and sweets and dining with his aunt to avoid suspicion.


• Sister's Involvement: Kriti was present during the incident and witnessed the entire event. Akshat threatened her life and kept her confined in a room for four days. Despite attending school exams, she did not disclose the incident to anyone. After the murder, Akshat emotionally embraced her and cried. During police questioning, Kriti eventually revealed the truth. Questions remain regarding her potential complicity, but Akshat is the primary suspect.


• Disappearance and Arrest: Akshat filed a missing person report for his father and concocted a suicide narrative. On February 22, he attempted to dispose of the drum but was interrupted by the arrival of an accountant. Police grew suspicious, leading to the recovery of the rifle, spent cartridges, saw, blood-stained clothing, and the blue drum from the house. Akshat was arrested on February 24, where he confessed, claiming it was an accident or that the shot was fired unintentionally.

Latest Developments as of February 28, 2026

• Both father and son were under the influence, which escalated their behavior.


• Akshat reportedly learned how to dismember a body from a film.


• He was seen crying upon seeing his sister in jail, struggling with anxiety.


• The primary motives appear to be pressure from NEET, desire for control over the family business, and familial disputes, with some reports mentioning theft and license renewal issues.


• The police have filed charges under various sections of the law, including murder and destruction of evidence, and the investigation is ongoing, with the head still unaccounted for.

Implications of the Case

This case highlights the pressures associated with NEET and career expectations, as well as the complexities of familial relationships. The police have recreated the crime scene, and the accused remains in custody. This incident draws parallels to a previous case in Meerut, where a body was similarly concealed in a drum.