Daijiworld Media Network - Kanpur
Kanpur, Sep 24: The investigation into the murder of Kanpur pharmaceutical businessman Vineet Minocha has taken a dramatic turn, with police alleging that his only son, Subrat Minocha, was behind the conspiracy to kill his father.
Subrat was arrested after police questioned his wife Shalu, Minocha's former employee Vishal and Vishal's associate Raj Kishore for 24 hours. During interrogation, Vishal allegedly told investigators that Subrat had plotted the murder and promised him Rs 6 lakh to kill his father.
According to police, Vishal also alleged that Subrat instructed him to name Shalu as the person behind the murder if he was caught. The statement reportedly prompted investigators to shift their focus towards Subrat's alleged role in the case.
Shalu had earlier been arrested in connection with the murder of her father-in-law. However, police are now considering giving her a clean chit if further investigation fails to establish her involvement. Officials said police may approach the court seeking her release.
Police Commissioner Raghuveer Lal said Subrat's financial condition has emerged as an important angle in the investigation. Police allege that Subrat was addicted to alcohol, gambling and betting and had accumulated substantial debts while maintaining an expensive lifestyle.
According to the police, Subrat had taken loans from different banks totalling around Rs 40 lakh and was paying monthly instalments of about Rs 55,000. His father reportedly provided him around Rs 40,000 every month for his expenses.
Despite this financial support, Subrat allegedly continued to face financial difficulties. Police also said Shalu had helped him repay debts by arranging around Rs 14 lakh from her father, Naresh Arora.
Investigators are examining whether Subrat's financial difficulties and his alleged interest in his father's wealth provided a motive for the murder. A possible property-related motive is also being investigated.
During questioning, Subrat reportedly spoke about his father's personal life and alleged that Vineet Minocha had relationships with several women. Police said Subrat claimed his mother had been living separately from his father because of these relationships.
Subrat also allegedly told investigators that his father had shown him photographs from parties in Goa. Police are examining his claim that he feared his father could marry another woman and that a new heir could emerge, potentially affecting the family's multi-crore property.
The investigation initially centred on Vishal and Raj Kishore, while Vishal had allegedly implicated Shalu during the earlier stage of the probe. However, police said his account changed during custodial interrogation, when he allegedly claimed that Subrat had hired him and offered Rs 6 lakh for the killing.
Police are now examining call-detail records, electronic evidence and other material to establish whether Vishal's latest allegations against Subrat are supported by independent evidence.
Investigators questioned the accused separately and also confronted them with each other's statements to establish the sequence of events. Police subsequently focused on Subrat after Vishal's latest statement and other material gathered during the investigation.
The police have not yet disclosed all the evidence gathered against Subrat, and the alleged motive and respective roles of those questioned remain subject to the ongoing investigation and court proceedings.