Laila Khan murder case shocked India when stepfather Parvez Tak killed six family members in a rarest of rare crime. (Image Source: Instagram)
The Laila Khan murder case remains one of the most chilling crimes in Bollywood history. Laila, born Reshma Patel in 1978, starred with Rajesh Khanna in Wafa: A Deadly Love Story in 2008. The film failed, but it brought her into the public eye. However, her name would later become tied to tragedy. In 2011, Laila, her mother Selina, her siblings, and a cousin disappeared. For months, there were no answers. In 2012, investigators uncovered the truth. Her stepfather, Parvez Tak, had murdered the entire family and buried them at their farmhouse in Igatpuri.
Police described Parvez Tak as controlling and resentful. He opposed Laila’s film career and clashed with her mother. Property disputes added fuel to his anger. Tak lured the family to their Igatpuri farmhouse in February 2011. He hired a man as a watchman to assist in his plan. After a casual evening with barbecue and dancing, the family went to bed. That is when Tak and his accomplice struck.
Read More: Fact Check: Is Sidharth and Kiara’s Viral Daughter Photo Real or AI-Generated?
Tak and his aide used rods and knives to kill one member after another. Even those who were unconscious were struck repeatedly to ensure death. Police later revealed that Selina was killed first during a fight over property. Then Tak murdered Laila, her four siblings, and a cousin. The brutality shocked even hardened investigators.
For 17 months, no one knew what had happened. The farmhouse hid the bodies in a pit meant for a swimming pool. By July 2012, police dug for seven hours to recover the skeletons. The remains of all six victims lay buried at Igatpuri. Investigators caught a break when Tak’s Aadhaar card was found at the family home. Mumbai and J&K Police arrested him in Kashmir.
On May 9, 2024, the Mumbai Sessions Court sentenced Parvez Tak to death. Justice SB Pawar called it a “rarest of rare case.” He said the act was “grotesque, cold-blooded, and revolting.” The court held Tak guilty under the Indian Penal Code for murder and destruction of evidence. The judge added that the offence shocked the conscience of society. Former officer Ambadas Pote, who led the probe, called Tak a “shrewd and dangerous criminal.” However, he expressed relief that justice had been served.
Read More: Who Is Aryan Khan’s Mystery Girlfriend?
Though Tak faces death for his crimes, his accomplice remains missing. This fact leaves a shadow over the case and for many, the Igatpuri murders remain one of the darkest chapters in recent memory.
