Digital Obsession Turns Deadly: Engineer Murders Twin Sister in Shocking Moradabad Attack

MORADABAD – A disturbing case of digital obsession and domestic tragedy has shaken the Buddh Vihar area of Moradabad, where a 25-year-old engineer allegedly murdered his twin sister and attempted to kill his mother over a relationship that existed entirely on social media.

The suspect, identified as Hardik, was arrested on Saturday following a brutal knife attack that left his sister, Himshikha, dead with 84 stab wounds. His mother, Neelima, is currently recovering in a local hospital after narrowly escaping the same fate.

The Catalyst: An 18-Month Virtual Romance

According to police investigators, the motive for the crime appears rooted in Hardik’s obsessive online relationship with a woman from Pune. Despite having never met in person, the two had reportedly been in constant contact via Instagram for a year and a half.

Circle Officer (Civil Lines) Kuldeep Kumar Gupta stated that Hardik had become convinced the woman’s family was "torturing" her because of their inter-faith connection. "The accused claimed they had promised to live and die together," Gupta noted, adding that the suspect’s perception of reality seemed heavily warped by this digital bond.

A Fatal Resentment

The tension within the household reportedly peaked due to Himshikha’s concerns for her brother’s well-being. A fellow engineer who was also pursuing her MBA, Himshikha had frequently advised Hardik to abandon his online obsession and refocus on his professional career.

Hardik had quit his IT job in Gurugram 18 months ago to pursue content creation on YouTube, a transition that coincided with his increasing social withdrawal. SP City Ran Vijay Singh remarked:

"The accused expressed deep-seated anger toward his sister, claiming she 'interfered' in his personal life. He perceived her guidance as taunts and decided to kill her to silence her advice."

Chronology of a Chilling Crime

The events of Friday afternoon illustrate a calculated and cold-blooded sequence:

The Murder: Hardik attacked Himshikha in their home using a kitchen knife. The autopsy report revealed the sheer ferocity of the assault, documenting 84 wounds that pierced her heart, lungs, and liver.

The Lure: After the killing, Hardik drove to his mother’s office at a private insurance firm. He reportedly told her, "Mummy, come home, I want to give you a surprise."

The Second Attack: Upon entering the house and discovering her daughter’s body, Neelima was immediately attacked. Despite sustaining six stab wounds to her chest and shoulders, she managed to flee and alert neighbors.

When questioned about why he targeted his mother, Hardik’s response stunned officers. He claimed that since he was going to jail for his sister's murder, he "didn't want his mother to be left alone to suffer."

A Family’s Hardship Undone

The tragedy is compounded by the family’s history of resilience. Neelima had raised the twins single-handedly for a decade after separating from her husband, working diligently to ensure both children received engineering degrees.

While Himshikha had found success in the corporate world, Hardik’s mental state reportedly deteriorated alongside his growing digital isolation. Neighbors described a family that had "struggled for years" only to be destroyed by an internal fracture.

Current Status

Neelima remains in stable condition but was unable to attend her daughter’s final rites, which were performed by a maternal uncle. Hardik has been remanded to judicial custody.

Police are currently working to identify the woman from Pune to determine her role, if any, in the events leading up to the tragedy. This case serves as a grim reminder of the potential real-world consequences of unaddressed mental health struggles exacerbated by digital fixation.