LUCKNOW: A day after the 19-year-old youth was sent to jail for the murder of his father, his family has questioned the police theory of career choice spat leading to the murder. Instead, the family claims, the teen boy was slapped by his father; they had a spat over missing cash kept in the home.Cops said that they will also probe if father-son had a major showdown in their home on Feb 19 night, hours before the son allegedly pulled the trigger on his sleeping dad. SHO Aashiana Chhatarpal Singh said they will take statements and seek evidence.The argument started over a shortfall in Rs 50 lakh cash kept in the house by the businessman for getting his liquor license renewed. The son came under suspicion since earlier too some valuables went missing in the home and were later recovered from him, said police.As the confrontation escalated into a scuffle, the man slapped his son and in a moment of rage even pointed his licensed rifle at him—an episode police believe could have left the teenager humiliated and enraged. Investigators suspect the killing may have been an impulsive act of retaliation following the altercation.The aftermath, however, points to chilling deliberation.According to kin, the accused initially considered surrendering, but changed course after an emotional exchange with his younger sister, who witnessed the crime. Traumatised by the incident, she broke down and pleaded his brother not to surrender fearing she would be left alone if he went to jail. Their mother had died in 2018.Investigators say the accused then decided to cover up the crime. After a friend allegedly refused to assist, he acted alone—buying knives, saws, and a plastic drum, dismembering the body, and dumping severed parts nearly 21km away from his home — near a canal in Nadarganj. The torso was concealed in a drum at home, with plans to dispose of it later using turpentine oil.To mislead investigators, the accused even filed a missing person complaint at Aashiana police station. The body remained hidden in the house for three days, during which the siblings maintained a façade of normalcy—the sister continued appearing for her exams, while both deactivated their social media accounts.Despite the police outlining a revenge-driven motive, the family has disputed the police narrative.Even the accused’s uncle in his statement to media dismissed speculation linking the crime to academic pressure or competitive exams, insisting there was “no such pressure” and suggesting undisclosed factors may have played a role. “The real reason is something else,” he said, calling for a comprehensive investigation.Neighbours and relatives also pointed to possible underlying family tensions, including past domestic disputes. Records indicate that victim’s wife had filed an assault case against him in 2009 and later died by suicide in 2018—raising questions about a troubled family history.The brutal nature of the crime has left neighbours stunned. They described the family as outwardly normal and the children as well-mannered.DCP (Central Zone) Vikrant Vir said statements of key witnesses are being recorded and the case is still open.“Accused son’s statement was corroborated with circumstantial evidence, which formed the basis of his arrest. Forensic and ballistic reports are awaited. We are examining all possible angles,” he said.
