‘Take my wife’s name if you get caught’: Twist in Kanpur bizman murder as son emerges as mastermind

KANPUR: Police arrested Subrat, son of slain drug trader Vineet Minocha, late Wednesday after the victim's servant, Vishal Gautam, allegedly told investigators that Subrat had offered him Rs 6 lakh to kill his father and instructed him to name Subrat's wife Shalu if he was caught.Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said the investigation, based on Vishal's statement along with circumstantial and electronic evidence, indicated Subrat's alleged involvement in the murder. He was to be produced before a court on Thursday.Vineet, 60, was stabbed to death at his apartment in Ratan Orbit, Kalyanpur, on September 5. Police arrested Shalu and alleged contract killers Vishal and Rajkishore the following day.Subrat's arrest came after he was confronted with Vishal during the 24-hour custody remand of Vishal, Rajkishore and Shalu. Investigators found that Vishal had obtained a new SIM card days before the murder and made his first call from the number to Subrat, Lal said.Vishal had initially alleged that Shalu had offered him Rs 6 lakh for the killing. However, during custodial questioning on Wednesday, he changed his statement and claimed that Subrat had offered the money and told him to implicate Shalu if he was arrested.Vishal also alleged that Subrat had earlier arranged a theft at his own shop through him, which had led to frequent disputes between Subrat and his father. Police said Subrat disclosed that he was facing a debt of around Rs 15 lakh.Subrat told investigators that he was intoxicated when he had earlier failed to identify Vishal. Police said he could not satisfactorily answer questions when confronted with chats and call records.Police are also investigating fresh information concerning Shalu, Lal said. During a confrontation with Subrat at Kalyanpur police station, Shalu became emotional and asked about their son, while Subrat kept his distance, according to police.Investigators took Shalu, Vishal and Rajkishore to Z Square Mall, Kalyanpur police station and the IIT police outpost to verify their movements. They also examined call records and the flat key as part of the investigation.Acting on information provided by Rajkishore, police recovered a blood-stained cloth, a gamchha and the flat key from a vacant plot in Ratan Orbit. Police alleged that Shalu had given Vishal the gamchha to cover his face during the murder.Shalu was kept overnight at the Kalyanpur women's help desk, while Vishal and Rajkishore remained at the police station. A doctor was deployed after Shalu's blood pressure rose.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.