KANPUR: Plan A — make it look like a heart attack. Plan B — stage an accident. Plan C — a cold-blooded murder. These were allegedly the three plans devised by a “killer bahu” to get rid of her father-in-law.While the first two plans did not materialise, the third ended with the 60-year-old medicine trader being stabbed 26 times inside his Kanpur flat.According to police, the accused, Shalu Minocha, 30, allegedly hired her father-in-law Vineet Minocha’s former domestic help for Rs 6 lakh after becoming unhappy over restrictions imposed on her and her husband, police said.The alleged restrictions included tight control over their finances and movements and CCTV cameras installed inside their apartment.Vineet was stabbed to death inside his C-104 flat at Ratan Orbit Apartment in Kalyanpur on the night of September 5.His son Subrat, 35, Shalu and their child were away at a party at the time.
Plan A: Make his death look like a heart attack
According to police, Shalu first approached Vishal Gautam, 30, a former employee of Vineet’s pharmaceutical business, around 20 days before the murder and offered him Rs 6 lakh to kill her father-in-law.When Gautam refused, she allegedly suggested that he engineer an accident instead, DCP (West) SM Qasim Abidi said.Shalu then allegedly proposed another method: suffocating Vineet with a pillow while he slept so that his death would appear to be from a heart attack.Police said she also promised Gautam a job after the murder.
Plan B: Stage an accident
Investigators said Shalu allegedly told Gautam that he could either kill Vineet or make his death appear accidental.The police have not disclosed further details of the alleged accident plan, but said Gautam eventually agreed to carry out the murder.The conspiracy then moved to the family’s apartment, where police allege Shalu helped the accused obtain access.
Plan C: Hide inside flat and attack him
A few days before the murder, Shalu allegedly handed Gautam the original key to the apartment and Rs 1,200 to get a duplicate made. She later gave him the duplicate key and told him when the family would be away, police said.She also allegedly told the apartment’s security guard that a man named “Shivam” would arrive carrying a gajra and should be allowed inside.
‘Stabbed repeadtley, throat slit’
On September 5, Gautam and his alleged accomplice Raj Kishor, 30, entered the flat after Shalu left for the party with her husband and child. The duo allegedly hid inside a bedroom and waited for Vineet to return.Vineet reached home around 10.55pm. While checking and locking the rooms, he switched on the light in his son’s bedroom and allegedly found the two men hiding there.When he recognised Gautam and questioned them, the accused allegedly attacked him. Gautam allegedly stabbed Vineet repeatedly and slit his throat before the duo fled the apartment by jumping over the rear wall.The postmortem later revealed 26 stab wounds on Vineet’s body, police said.
Dancing at lounge as murder unfolded
Around the same time, Shalu and Subrat were at Cosmozin Lounge in Tilak Nagar, where videos recorded by lounge staff showed the couple dancing with other guests.A video of Shalu dancing at the lounge to the Bollywood song Tum To Dhokhebaaz Ho, Vaada Karke Bhool Jaate Ho surfaced on social media on Wednesday and went viral.Shalu was seen wearing a dark purple gown, while Subrat was dressed in a grey shirt. Police said the couple’s behaviour appeared normal and other guests seemed unaware of what was allegedly happening at their home.The lounge’s CCTV DVR had no stored footage, but videos recorded by staff showed around 20-25 people, mostly couples, dancing.
Killers arrested after encounter
Gautam and Kishor were arrested after an encounter on September 6. During interrogation, Gautam allegedly told police that Shalu had hired them to kill Vineet.Shalu was arrested on Monday night and produced before a magistrate. She was subsequently sent to 14 days’ judicial custody.Police said she allegedly admitted her involvement in the presence of female police personnel after being confronted with Gautam’s statement.After receiving medical treatment, Gautam allegedly said that he had killed Vineet on Shalu’s instructions in return for money.
No robbery angle; husband’s role under scanner
Nothing was stolen from the apartment, leading investigators to suspect that the murder was linked to personal enmity rather than robbery.Police have also added Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to criminal conspiracy, to the case.The role of Shalu’s husband Subrat is also under scrutiny. Police said they are collecting evidence to determine whether he was involved in the alleged conspiracy.“If his involvement is established, he too will be arrested,” Lal said.Vineet ran Pharma Traders, a medicine firm on Birhana Road, along with his son.The murder came to light after Subrat returned home in the early hours of Sunday and found his father’s body inside the flat. Police had initially suspected the involvement of a domestic help and another accomplice after CCTV footage showed two men entering the apartment shortly after Subrat left.
