'Killer' bahu’s deadly game: Kanpur bizman sensed danger but ended up with 26 stab wounds and a slit throat

KANPUR: A murder planned to look like a heart attack allegedly turned into a brutal stabbing after 63-year-old businessman Vineet Minocha walked into his bedroom and noticed something unusual. The assailants allegedly panicked, attacked him with knives and fled, leaving Vineet with 26 stab wounds and a slit throat.According to investigators, Minocha's daughter-in-law Shalu Minocha, who police have accused of masterminding the murder, had allegedly instructed former employee Vishal Gautam and his acquaintance Raj Kishor to suffocate Vineet with a pillow so the death would appear natural.But the plan allegedly changed after Vineet walked into the bedroom around 11pm and noticed something unusual.Killers allegedly waited inside bedroomPolice said Shalu had approached Vishal, a former employee at Vineet's pharmaceutical store, and allegedly offered him Rs 6 lakh for the killing.She allegedly handed Vishal the original key to the family's apartment so that a duplicate could be made. Vishal then allegedly involved his unemployed acquaintance Raj Kishor, 30, promising him an advance of Rs 30,000.On September 5, Shalu allegedly told the two men that she, her husband Subrat and their son would be attending a party.Using the duplicate key, Vishal and Raj allegedly entered Ratan Orbit Apartment in Kalyanpur. Police said they initially faced resistance from the security guard but told him they were delivering medicines.Vishal allegedly registered himself under the fictitious name Shivam.After entering the apartment, the two men allegedly hid inside a bedroom and waited for Vineet to return.‘Heart attack’ plan goes awryInvestigators said the original plan was to suffocate Vineet with a pillow and make the killing look like a heart attack.The plan allegedly went awry when Vineet entered the bedroom at around 11pm and noticed something unusual.Police said he was stabbed repeatedly and his throat was slit before the accused fled. The postmortem found 26 stab wounds on Vineet's body.Police said the murder took place sometime between 10.30pm on Saturday and 3am on Sunday, while Vineet was alone in the four-room apartment.Shalu, husband were at lounge during murderWhile the alleged killing was taking place, Shalu and her husband were at Cosmozin Lounge in Tilak Nagar, police said.A video recorded by lounge staff showed Shalu dancing with Subrat to the Bollywood song “Tum To Dhokhebaaz Ho, Vaada Karke Bhool Jaate Ho”.Police said the footage confirmed their presence at the lounge that night.The lounge's CCTV DVR had no stored footage, but videos recorded by staff showed around 20-25 people, mostly couples, dancing to Bollywood songs. Shalu was seen wearing a dark purple gown while Subrat was dressed in a grey shirt.Police said Shalu's behaviour appeared normal and other guests at the lounge seemed unaware of what was allegedly unfolding at her home.Police allege Shalu stayed in touch with assailantsDespite being at the party, Shalu allegedly remained in contact with the two men through WhatsApp calls, messages and voice calls and allegedly guided them during the crime, according to investigators.Police arrested Shalu on Monday after Vishal allegedly told them that he had killed Vineet on her instructions in return for money.Police said Shalu allegedly admitted her involvement in the presence of female police personnel after being confronted with Vishal.CCTV dispute allegedly behind murderInvestigators suspect the alleged murder was linked to a dispute over CCTV cameras installed by Vineet inside the apartment around 15-20 days before his death.Police said Shalu objected to the cameras, claiming they violated her privacy and caused her emotional distress. No valuables stolen from apartmentInvestigators said CCTV footage showed Vishal and Raj leaving the apartment after the murder. The two were arrested following an encounter late Sunday.Police said nothing was stolen from the apartment, strengthening their suspicion that the killing was motivated by personal enmity rather than robbery.Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to criminal conspiracy, has also been added to the case.The investigation is continuing, with police examining the alleged communications between Shalu and the assailants and the circumstances surrounding Vineet's murder.(With agency inputs)You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kanpur | Silver Rate in Kanpur | Bank Holidays in Kanpur | Public Holidays in Kanpur | Kanpur AQI | Weather in Kanpur | Petrol Price in Kanpur | Diesel Price in Kanpur | CNG Price in Kanpur | LPG Price in KanpurStay updated with the latest Kanpur news. Download the TOI App.