A woman dancing with her husband at a Kanpur lounge. Her father-in-law was found dead at home the same night. Then police began tracing calls, CCTV footage and a duplicate house key. Investigators are now examining what happened before and after the killing.
The case has drawn attention to a murder allegedly involving people from within the same family and those known to them.
Here is what we know about the Kanpur case so far.
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What Happened?
The victim, 63-year-old pharmaceutical businessman Vineet Minocha, was found dead inside his flat at Ratan Orbit Apartment in Kanpur's Kalyanpur area.
Police said the murder took place sometime between around 10.30pm on September 5 and 3am on September 6. His son Subrat, daughter-in-law Shalu and their child had gone out to attend a party.
When the family returned in the early hours, Vineet was found dead inside the apartment. His postmortem later recorded 26 stab wounds. Police also said nothing was stolen from the house, which led investigators to examine the possibility of a targeted killing rather than robbery.
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What Did The Lounge Video Show?
A video recorded by staff at Cosmozin Lounge in Tilak Nagar later surfaced online.
It showed Shalu and her husband Subrat at the lounge that night, dancing with other guests. One of the videos showed the couple dancing to the song Tum To Dhokhebaaz Ho, Vaada Karke Bhool Jaate Ho.
The lounge's CCTV DVR reportedly did not have stored footage. However, videos recorded by staff confirmed the couple's presence there.
Police now allege that Shalu's presence at the lounge did not mean she was unaware of what was happening at home. Investigators say she remained in contact with the alleged attackers through calls and WhatsApp while the murder was being carried out.
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How The Murder Was Planned And Carried Out
Police allege Shalu objected to CCTV cameras installed inside the apartment 15–20 days before the murder and contacted former employee Vishal Gautam. She allegedly gave him the original key to make a duplicate. Gautam then allegedly brought in Raj Kishore, 30, for a promised Rs. 30,000 advance.
Police said that on September 5, Shalu told the men that she, her husband and child would be at a party. The two allegedly entered posing as medicine delivery workers, with Gautam reportedly using the name “Shivam”, and hid inside a bedroom.
Police allege the original plan was to suffocate Vineet with a pillow and make his death appear like a heart attack. When he returned around 11pm and allegedly discovered them, the men attacked him with knives. The postmortem found 26 stab wounds. Police also allege that his throat was slit before the men escaped over the rear wall. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, call records and other evidence.
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What Is The Police Action?
Call records have become a key part of the investigation. Police said Shalu and her husband Subrat made 330 calls to former employee Vishal Gautam over the 21 days before the murder. Around 30 involved Shalu and nearly 300 involved Subrat. On the day of the murder, Shalu and Gautam allegedly spoke 14 times. Investigators also recovered WhatsApp call records and are examining them with CCTV footage and other evidence. Police allege Shalu had been planning the murder for around three months.
Gautam and Raj Kishore were arrested on September 6, while Shalu was arrested the next day and sent to judicial custody. Police allege Gautam told investigators that he carried out the killing on Shalu’s instructions for money. Police also added Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which concerns criminal conspiracy.
Investigators are still examining Subrat’s alleged role, and the reported call records alone do not establish his involvement. The allegations against those arrested remain subject to the ongoing investigation and legal process.
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TL;DR | News At A Glance
What happened in Kanpur?
Pharmaceutical businessman Vineet Minocha was found murdered inside his apartment on September 6. Police say he was killed the previous night.
Who has been arrested?
Police arrested his daughter-in-law Shalu Minocha, former employee Vishal Gautam and Gautam's alleged associate Raj Kishore.
Why does Shalu face allegations?
Police allege she hired Gautam for Rs. 6 lakh and helped arrange access to the apartment.
What happened while the murder was taking place?
Police say Shalu was at a lounge with her husband while allegedly remaining in contact with the attackers.
What evidence are investigators examining?
Police are examining CCTV footage, call records, WhatsApp communications, the duplicate key and statements from the accused.
What is the latest legal action?
Shalu has been sent to judicial custody and Section 61(2) of the BNS has been added to the case. Police are continuing to investigate the alleged conspiracy and Subrat's role.
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