Lucknow businessman murder: Victims son ordered knives via Blinkit, drum and saw got offline

PTC Web Desk: Five days after city-based businessman Manavendra Singh was allegedly shot dead by his son Akshat Pratap Singh, investigators say the focus has now shifted from the killing itself to what appears to be a carefully executed attempt to wipe out evidence and misdirect both relatives and cops.

According to investigators, the February 20 incident inside the family’s residence is being examined not only as a crime of passion linked to domestic disputes, but as a case involving systematic planning before and after the murder.

Dispute over career and business control

Police sources said Manavendra Singh, who operated several pathology laboratories and licensed liquor outlets in Lucknow, had been urging his son to prioritise academics and clear the NEET examination.

However, Akshat was reportedly inclined toward taking over and managing the family’s existing business empire. Officials believe that this difference in priorities had led to repeated arguments in recent months.

Investigators suspect that a heated exchange hours before the shooting may have escalated into the fatal confrontation.

Knives ordered online, tools purchased offline

During interrogation, Akshat allegedly told the police that he ordered two knives through the delivery platform Blinkit a day before the crime. The knives were delivered to the house.

The police claim he later bought a saw and a large blue plastic drum from a local market. These tools were allegedly used to dismember the body after the shooting.

Senior officer Abhay Pratap Mall confirmed that the accused was taken back to the residence for crime scene reconstruction, where he described the sequence of events to investigators.

Akshat allegedly admitted to cutting off his father’s limbs using the knives and saw. The dismembered remains were then placed inside the drum, and some body parts were reportedly moved in the boot of a car for disposal.

Blood-soaked bedding burnt near canal

The police said the close-range gunshot resulted in significant bloodshed, soaking bedding materials, including blankets, bedsheets and pillows. Flesh fragments were also reportedly embedded in the fabric.

Investigators allege that Akshat packed the blood-stained items into sacks and transported them to the Sadaruna canal bank. There, he allegedly set them on fire in an effort to destroy forensic traces. Partially burnt clothing and ash residues have since been recovered and sent for forensic testing.

Walls repainted to hide blood splatter

Forensic teams noted that blood spatter marks had spread across sections of the room following the early morning firing around 4.30 am.

The police claim the accused purchased paint soon after and repainted portions of the walls to conceal visible stains. Investigators believe this repainting was part of a broader clean-up effort undertaken immediately after the murder.

‘Papa Laut Aao’ WhatsApp group created

Investigators also uncovered what they describe as a staged effort to deflect suspicion.

Soon after the killing, Akshat allegedly created a WhatsApp group titled “Papa Laut Aao,” adding his father’s friends and acquaintances. Emotional messages were posted, appealing for his father’s return.

Police sources say he actively participated in search efforts alongside friends while monitoring the group conversations to ensure suspicion did not turn toward him.

Digital records from the messaging group are now being treated as key evidence.

Routine activities continued inside house

Probe findings suggest that daily activities inside the residence allegedly continued even while the body remained within the premises.

Sources indicated that Akshat arranged disposal-related tools while maintaining normal communication with relatives. Investigators are verifying whether routine household interactions were deliberately maintained to avoid arousing suspicion.

Sister’s role under examination

The involvement of Akshat’s sister, Kriti, has also come under scrutiny.

Police questioning revealed that she was allegedly present in the room at the time of the shooting and witnessed the incident. However, investigators claim she did not inform anyone for nearly 24 hours.

Her statement was recorded after sustained questioning lasting around 40 minutes. Authorities are now examining whether her silence was driven by fear or whether she had prior awareness of developments surrounding the crime.

Phone location and digital trail

Location data analysis indicates that Akshat travelled to Kakori later on February 20 and allegedly switched on his phone there so that the last recorded location would reflect a position away from the residence.

The police suspect this may have been an attempt to create a misleading digital trail in the aftermath of the killing.

Gunshot unheard by other family members

Another aspect under investigation is how a gunshot fired at approximately 4.30 am reportedly went unnoticed by other family members sleeping on different floors of the house.

At the time, relatives, including the wife and children of Akshat’s uncle Arvind, were present in the house. Family members have stated they were in deep sleep and did not hear the firing.

Investigators are examining this claim as part of the broader forensic assessment.

With recovery of burnt materials, repainting evidence, digital footprints, and crime scene reconstruction underway, the investigation has now entered a deeper forensic phase.

Officials say the case is revealing “multiple layers of planning,” extending beyond the initial trigger linked to family disagreements and control of business interests.