KANPUR: Shalu Manocha, the daughter-in-law of slain pharmaceutical trader Vineet Manocha, was released from jail on Monday after police filed a closure report stating that they found no evidence linking her to the murder.A Kanpur court ordered her release on a personal bond of Rs 50,000, bringing a fresh twist to a case in which police had initially accused her of masterminding the killing.The Chief Judicial Magistrate court directed Shalu to appear before the court or investigating officer whenever required.She walked out of jail around 7.30pm after the court order reached the prison, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) SM Qasim Abidi said.“The jail superintendent also confirmed her release,” the official said.Police had initially arrested Shalu based on the statement of accused Vishal Gautam, who had allegedly told investigators that the murder was carried out at her behest.Gautam had claimed that Shalu promised him Rs 6 lakh, Rs 2 lakh in advance and Rs 4 lakh later, besides a job.“During a detailed investigation, no evidence was found to establish Shalu’s direct or indirect involvement in the crime,” Abidi said.
Investigation shifts towards son Subrat
The investigation later led police to evidence against Vineet’s son, Subrat Manocha, who was arrested in connection with the murder.TOI reported that Subrat’s arrest followed a change in Vishal Gautam’s statement. Gautam allegedly told police that Subrat had offered him Rs 6 lakh to kill his father and instructed him to name Shalu if he was caught.Police said they were verifying the allegation through call records and other digital and circumstantial evidence.Subrat was subsequently arrested and sent to judicial custody. Police alleged that he had conspired to kill his father over concerns linked to the latter’s property and personal life.
Shalu’s family had denied her role
Shalu’s family had maintained from the beginning that she was not involved in Vineet’s murder. Her brother Dheeraj Arora said her son, Shrijay, was staying with him in Lucknow and that Shalu would go directly to her parental home there after her release instead of returning to her in-laws’ flat at Ratan Orbit.Earlier, Shalu’s family had also questioned the police’s initial claim that she was the mastermind, pointing to her relationship with Vineet and disputing the allegations against her.
Vineet was stabbed to death at Ratan Orbit
Vineet Manocha, a pharmaceutical trader, was stabbed to death at his Ratan Orbit apartment in Kalyanpur on September 5. Police had initially arrested Shalu along with alleged contract killers Vishal Gautam and Rajkishore.According to the investigation, Vishal and Rajkishore allegedly entered the apartment posing as medicine delivery men before attacking Vineet. Police later said Vineet was stabbed multiple times during the attack.The murder investigation subsequently took a dramatic turn with Subrat emerging as the main accused, while police said their probe was being supported by circumstantial and electronic evidence.Police filed the closure report in Shalu’s case before the CJM court on Monday, following which the court ordered her release, her advocate Shivakant Dixit said.(With PTI inputs)
