Out of jail, Shalu Minocha says she knew nothing of father-in-law's murder plot
Shalu Minocha, released after spending 21 days in jail in connection with the murder of her father-in-law, Kanpur businessman Vineet Minocha, said she had no idea her husband was planning the killing.
“I had absolutely no idea my husband was planning all this,” Shalu told India Today's sister channel, Aaj Tak, after her release.
She said she and her husband, Subrat Minocha, had spent time together at a party on the day of the murder and she had noticed nothing unusual.
Vineet was found with his throat slit inside his flat in Kanpur’s Indira Nagar area on September 5.
A court ordered Shalu’s release on a personal bond of Rs 50,000, observing that it had found no independent, credible evidence linking her to the alleged conspiracy. She must appear before the court or the investigating officer when called.‘I NEVER THOUGHT IT COULD GO THIS FAR’
Shalu said Subrat had a strained relationship with his father but that she could not have imagined it ending in 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 said she had not spoken to Subrat even when police brought them face to face during questioning. She also denied knowing that anyone was plotting to implicate her.
Asked whether she could forgive Subrat or continue their relationship, she said she was unable to think about it yet. “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.”
Shalu disputed the account that had linked her to Vishal Gautam, a former employee accused of carrying out the attack. She said she spoke to him on the day of the party only because she had asked him to bring flowers for a *rangoli*.
She also denied telling the security guard to register Vishal under the false name “Shubham”. “I only asked the guard to let him enter. I did not give the name Shubham,” she said.HOW THE POLICE CASE CHANGED
Shalu’s release followed a four-point response from Kanpur Police challenging the evidence previously cited against her. Investigators now say Subrat told Vishal to blame Shalu for the murder.
Vishal had earlier claimed that Shalu asked him to kill Vineet and gave him a key to the house. Police now say Subrat arranged for Vishal to get a duplicate key made in Kanpur’s Gumti No. 5 area.
Investigators also say Subrat asked Shalu to arrange Vishal’s entry under a false name because Vineet disliked him. Police say Subrat gave Shalu a new Jio number and instructed Vishal to call her on it.
Subrat was arrested after he allegedly admitted planning his father’s murder months earlier amid disputes over money and Vineet’s relationships with other women.
Police are checking the accounts given by those involved against call records, CCTV footage and their movements on the day of the killing.- Ends
