India: Family of five brutally murdered in Meerut, bodies of kids found stuffed inside bed box

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this story disturbing. Discretion is advised.

In India's northern Uttar Pradesh state, a family of five - a couple and their three daughters - were found dead inside their house in Meerut. 

According to police, the victims had head injuries and appeared to have suffered blunt-force trauma from a heavy object. While the bodies of the parents were found lying on the floor, the corpses of the daughters, all under the age of 10 years, were found inside the bed box, with the body of the youngest child inside a sack. 

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How did they die? This is what reports say 

Meerut SSP Vipin Tada, as per reports, said that based on initial observations it seemed to be a “case of murder due to personal enmity”.

“The exact cause of death will be determined after the postmortem. Based on initial observations, it appears to be a case of murder due to personal enmity. Senior officials are present at the site, and the investigation is progressing swiftly,” he said.

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Neighbours called the police after they noticed that the family of five had not been seen for around two days since Wednesday (Jan 8). The police upon arrival found the house locked from outside. Officers had to enter the house from the roof.

Inside, they discovered the five victims and a house in complete disarray.

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The investigation into the gruesome murder is ongoing and police are trying to uncover the circumstances behind the crime. The victims are yet to be identified to the press.

(With inputs from agencies)