Shalu Minocha, who spent 21 days in jail in connection with the murder of her father-in-law and Kanpur businessman Vineet Minocha, has said she had no knowledge that her husband was allegedly planning to kill his father.
“I had absolutely no idea my husband was planning all this,” Shalu told Aaj Tak after being released from jail.
Shalu was initially arrested soon after Vineet Minocha’s murder, with police suspecting that she had conspired to kill her father-in-law by hiring two men to carry out the attack.
However, the investigation later took a major turn when police arrested her husband, Subrat Minocha, for allegedly planning his father’s murder and attempting to frame Shalu.
Court Orders Shalu’s Release
Following the new developments in the investigation, a court ordered Shalu’s release on a personal bond of Rs 50,000.
The court observed that there was no independent and credible evidence linking her to the alleged murder conspiracy.
Under the conditions of her release, Shalu will have to appear before the court or the investigating officer whenever required.
‘Never Thought Things Could Reach This Point’
Vineet Minocha was found with his throat slit inside his flat in Kanpur’s Indira Nagar area on September 5.
Speaking after her release, Shalu said she and Subrat had attended a party together on the day of the murder and she did not notice anything unusual in his behaviour.
She acknowledged that Subrat had a strained relationship with his father but said she never imagined the dispute could allegedly lead to murder.
“Subrat was very secretive. He and his father did not get along, but I never thought things could reach a point where something like this would happen,” she said.
Shalu Says She Did Not Speak to Husband During Questioning
Shalu said she did not speak to Subrat even when police brought the couple face to face during questioning.
She also denied knowing about any alleged plan to implicate her in the murder.
Asked whether she could forgive Subrat or continue their relationship, Shalu said she was not yet in a position to make such a decision.
“I need some time to come to terms with everything that has happened,” she said.
Her immediate concern, she added, was her six-year-old child.
“I want him to know nothing about all this. I just want to go to him and be with him,” she said.
What Shalu Said About Accused Vishal Gautam
Shalu also disputed the earlier version of events that had linked her to Vishal Gautam, a former employee who was allegedly hired as one of the assailants.
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.
Vishal had earlier allegedly told investigators that Shalu asked him to kill Vineet and provided him with a key to the house.
Police, however, later challenged this version.
Investigators now allege that Subrat instructed Vishal to name Shalu after his arrest in an attempt to divert suspicion towards her.
Police Say Duplicate Key Was Arranged by Subrat
According to the revised police investigation, Subrat allegedly arranged for Vishal to obtain a duplicate key to the house from Kanpur’s Gumti No. 5 area.
This contradicted the earlier allegation that Shalu had personally handed over a key to the accused.
Shalu’s release followed a four-point response submitted by Kanpur Police challenging key pieces of evidence that had initially been cited against her.
Husband Allegedly Planned Murder Months Earlier
Police subsequently arrested Subrat in connection with his father’s murder.
Investigators allege that he had planned the killing months in advance amid disputes involving money and his father’s relationships with other women.
Police are now cross-checking the accounts given by those involved with call-detail records, CCTV footage and their movements on the day Vineet Minocha was killed.
The investigation into the murder and the alleged attempt to frame Shalu remains ongoing.
