A man in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife and two minor daughters following a domestic dispute over the wearing of a burqa, police said on Friday.

The victims have been identified as Tahira (35) and her daughters Shareen (14) and Afreen (6). According to police, the family had been missing for nearly a week, raising concern among neighbours and relatives.

The case came to light after the village headman alerted the police about the unexplained disappearance. During questioning, the accused reportedly confessed to killing his wife after repeated arguments, allegedly centred on her refusal to wear a burqa. Police said the two daughters were also killed, allegedly to prevent the crime from being exposed.

Investigators later recovered the bodies buried inside the house, following which forensic teams were called to the spot. The remains have been sent for post-mortem examination.

“The accused has been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway to establish the full sequence of events,” a senior police official said, adding that charges of murder have been registered.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the area, once again highlighting concerns over domestic violence and crimes linked to coercion within households. Authorities said strict legal action would be taken against the accused.