Kanpur businessman murder twist: Son allegedly killed father, tried to frame wife; Shalu released after 21 days in jail

PTC Web Desk: Shalu Minocha, who spent 21 days in jail over the murder of her father-in-law and Kanpur businessman Vineet Minocha, has been released on a court order. She has denied any involvement in the killing and said she was unaware of her husband Subrat Minocha's alleged plan.

Speaking after her release, Shalu said she never imagined that her husband's strained relationship with his father could lead to murder. “I had absolutely no idea my husband was planning all this,” she said while speaking to Aaj Tak.

Vineet Minocha was found with his throat slit inside his flat in Kanpur's Indira Nagar area on September 5. Shalu was initially arrested after the police suspected that she had played a role in arranging the killing through two alleged hitmen.

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The investigation later shifted towards her husband. The police arrested Subrat and alleged that he had attempted to make the accused shooters name Shalu as the person behind the murder.

Court finds no credible evidence against Shalu

A court subsequently ordered Shalu's release on a personal bond of Rs 50,000. The court observed that there was no independent and credible evidence at that stage connecting her to the alleged conspiracy.

She has been directed to appear before the court or the investigating officer whenever required.

Shalu said she and Subrat were together at a party on the day of the murder and that she did not notice anything suspicious about his behaviour.

She described her husband as a secretive person and acknowledged that his relationship with his father had been troubled. However, she said she never believed the dispute could result in such a serious crime.

Shalu denies link to alleged hitman

Shalu also rejected allegations linking her to Vishal Gautam, a former employee who the police identified as one of the alleged shooters.

She said she had spoken to Vishal on the day of the party only because she had asked him to bring flowers for a rangoli.

The police had earlier claimed that Vishal told investigators that Shalu had asked him to kill Vineet and had provided a key to the house. Investigators have now alleged that Subrat arranged for Vishal to get a duplicate key made in Kanpur's Gumti No. 5 area.

The police further allege that Subrat had been planning his father's murder for several months following disputes over money and his father's relationships with other women.

Police continue to verify evidence

The police investigation is now focusing on statements made by the people involved and matching them with other evidence.

Investigators are examining call records, CCTV footage and the movements of the suspects on the day Vineet was killed.

Shalu said she has not spoken to Subrat, including when the police brought the couple face-to-face during questioning. Asked whether she could forgive him or continue their relationship, she said she needed time to process what had happened.

For now, she said her main priority was her six-year-old child and keeping the child away from the case.

“I just want to go to him and be with him,” she said.