A 30-year-old woman has been arrested in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly orchestrating the murder of her 60-year-old father-in-law, a prominent medicine trader. Authorities stated the motive stemmed from disputes over finances and strict household controls imposed by the deceased.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the daughter-in-law, identified as Shalu, is accused of hiring a former domestic helper, Vishal Gautam, 30, and paying him Rs 6 lakh to carry out the killing. The victim, Vineet Manocha, was found stabbed to death in his apartment on the night of September 5.
The incident took place at the C-104 flat in Ratan Orbit apartment, located within the Kalyanpur police station area. Vineet Manocha was alone in the house when he was attacked, while his son, Subrat, and daughter-in-law, Shalu, were reportedly attending a party. The alarm was raised when Subrat returned home in the early hours of Sunday and discovered his father’s body.
Commissioner of Police Raghubir Lal informed PTI on Tuesday that Shalu allegedly harboured resentment over her father-in-law’s stringent control over the couple’s finances and personal movements. He also cited the installation of CCTV cameras throughout the house as a source of her discontent, suggesting it amounted to constant surveillance.
Information available with The Chenab Times indicated that Vineet Manocha managed the finances of his medicine business, Pharma Traders, located on Birhana Road, with his son Subrat. Shalu reportedly received a meagre monthly allowance of Rs 10,000-12,000 for her expenses, while Subrat, who worked in the business, was paid a salary of Rs 35,000. This disparity in financial control and perceived lack of autonomy appears to have fueled the alleged conspiracy.
DCP (West) SM Qasim Abidi elaborated on the alleged plot, stating that Shalu had approached Gautam approximately 20 days prior to the murder. She initially tasked him with either killing Manocha or orchestrating an accident. When Gautam expressed reluctance, Shalu allegedly proposed a method of suffocation with a pillow, designed to mimic death from a heart attack, and also promised him a job post-murder.
The execution of the alleged plan involved a duplicate key to the apartment. Police reported that Shalu had provided Gautam with the original key a few days before the incident, instructing him to have a duplicate made for Rs 1,200. Subsequently, she handed the duplicate key to Gautam, informing him of the opportune time when the family would be absent from the residence.
Further details emerged regarding Shalu’s alleged attempts to facilitate entry for the perpetrators. She reportedly instructed the apartment’s security guard to permit a man named ‘Shivam’ entry, describing him as someone who would be carrying a ‘gajra’ (a floral garland). This diversionary tactic was apparently meant to ensure smooth access for Gautam and his accomplice.
On the night of September 5, after Shalu and her husband had departed with their child, Gautam and his alleged accomplice, Raj Kishore, 30, entered the apartment using the duplicate key. The duo then reportedly concealed themselves in Shalu’s bedroom, awaiting Vineet Manocha’s return.
Manocha arrived home around 10:55 pm and, while conducting his nightly checks of the rooms, inadvertently switched on the light in his son’s bedroom. He discovered Gautam and Kishore hiding inside. Upon recognizing Gautam and demanding an explanation, an altercation ensued. Police allege that Gautam then repeatedly stabbed Manocha and slit his throat before fleeing the apartment with Kishore.
The investigation gained momentum through CCTV footage and call records, which helped investigators piece together the sequence of events and the alleged conspiracy. Police Commissioner Lal revealed that Shalu and Gautam had communicated 27 times on the day and night of the murder. Shalu had also allegedly sent a message to Gautam after leaving the apartment, confirming that the house was empty.
Following an encounter on September 6, police apprehended Gautam and Kishore. During interrogation, Gautam reportedly implicated Shalu as the mastermind who had hired them for the murder. Shalu was subsequently arrested on Monday night, presented before a magistrate, and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
The role of Subrat, Shalu’s husband, is also under scrutiny. Police are actively gathering evidence to ascertain his potential involvement in the alleged conspiracy. Authorities have indicated that if his complicity is established, he will also face arrest.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
