A man in India allegedly killed his wife and teenage daughter by slitting their throats after an argument at their family home. The 47-year-old is also accused of attacking his younger daughter, who escaped with injuries before neighbours intervened.
Attack at family home
The incident occurred at the family's fourth-floor flat in the Lokpriya Vihar area of Khoda, Ghaziabad, on Friday night. Police said Mohammad Raja Ansari had eaten dinner with his family before they went to bed at around 10pm. His wife, Baby Tabassum Ansari, 43, reportedly reminded him to take medication he had been prescribed.
Police said Ansari refused and an argument followed after she continued to ask him to take it. At around 11.30pm, Ansari allegedly went into the kitchen and picked up a large knife.
Daughters attacked
Police allege he then attacked his wife while she was sleeping, leaving her with a fatal injury to her throat. Their 16-year-old daughter, Sana, heard her mother's screams and entered the room. She initially tried to hide under a staircase but was allegedly spotted by her father.
As the teenager ran towards her mother, Ansari allegedly stabbed her in the abdomen before dragging her by the hair and slitting her throat. The couple's younger daughter, Zoya, 14, was then allegedly attacked and suffered a knife injury to her hip.
Neighbours intervene
Zoya managed to reach the main door and open it. Two neighbours who heard the commotion rushed inside, overpowered Ansari and took the knife from him, according to police. They restrained him until officers arrived.
Baby, Sana and Zoya were taken to a nearby hospital, where Baby and Sana were pronounced dead. Zoya received treatment for her injuries and was later said to be out of danger.
Arrest and investigation
Ansari was arrested and police opened a case for murder and attempted murder following a complaint from Zoya. During questioning, Ansari allegedly told investigators that he had killed his wife following the disagreement over his medication. Police said he also claimed he then decided to kill his daughters because he believed he would be sent to jail and feared nobody would be left to care for them.
Ansari told officers he had been receiving treatment for depression for a long time. Indirapuram Assistant Commissioner of Police Suryabali Maurya said: “We will verify Ansari’s claim of depression by obtaining his medical records from the concerned hospitals.”
