Police revealed that Subrat not only orchestrated the hit but framed his wife, Shalu, to secure his inheritance and clear mounting personal debts. KANPUR The 19-day mystery surrounding the murder of 63-year-old pharmaceutical trader Vineet Minocha unraveled on Thursday as police arrested his 35-year-old son, Subrat, for allegedly masterminding the September 5 killing.
The pharma trader’s son also allegedly spoke about an incident in which he suspected his father of touching Shalu inappropriately while they were travelling in a car. However, when police questioned Shalu about it, she denied that Vineet had ever touched her inappropriately. Following his confession, authorities announced they will move court to secure the release of Shalu, 32, who had been previously arrested alongside two alleged contract killers. Commissioner of police Raghubir Lal said Subrat had allegedly hired his father’s former employee, Vishal, and his associate, Rajkishore, to kill Vineet on September 5. He also said Shalu had helped him repay his debts by arranging ₹ 14 lakh from her father, Naresh Arora.
The son allegedly conspired to kill his father, fearing that the pharma trader, who reportedly had relationships with several women, might end up transferring his property to some other woman, said police. The police will move court seeking Shalu’s release, he said. The case initially appeared to point towards Shalu after Vishal and Rajkishore, who were arrested on the basis of CCTV footage, told police during questioning that they had carried out the murder at her behest. Subrat said his relationship with Shalu was otherwise good and that they only had occasional family disagreements, according to police.
Subrat was arrested on Wednesday night and sent to judicial custody on Thursday and subsequently taken to jail.
Lal said the investigation had established Subrat’s role as the alleged mastermind and that steps would be taken before the court for Shalu’s release.
