Kanpur: The chief judicial magistrate (CJM), Kanpur Nagar, on Tuesday granted a 24-hour police custody remand of Shalu Minocha, Vishal Gautam and Raj Kishore, the three accused in the Vineet Minocha murder case.In-charge CJM Atul Nayak directed the investigating officer (IO) to ensure videography of the accused throughout the remand period and submit a copy of the recording with the case file. The IO was also directed not to harass or torture the accused during police custody.The court further observed that counsel for the accused may remain present during the remand proceedings, if required, while maintaining a distance and without interfering in the investigation.In his application seeking police custody remand, IO Keshav Kumar Tiwari stated that Vishal Gautam allegedly told police during interrogation that Shalu Minocha had handed over a key to her flat at Parade Crossing. He allegedly revealed that he got a duplicate key made using the original key, entered the flat with it and later threw the key near Ratan Orbit Park. Vishal further allegedly stated that Shalu had provided him with certain articles, including a black scarf.Police told the court that custody remand was required to recover and verify the original key, identify the place of meeting, reconstruct events at the crime scene and cross-check facts that had emerged during the investigation.Advocate Shivakant Dixit, appearing for Shalu Minocha, filed a written objection opposing the remand. He argued that police were seeking custody on the basis of a co-accused’s statement and mere presumptions.After hearing both sides, the court observed that verification of certain facts and cross-checking of the accused’s statements could yield significant evidence and aid the investigation. As the probe was still underway, the court granted a 24-hour police custody remand of the accused.
