Vineet Minocha murder case: Framed by husband, Shalu Minocha walks out of jail

The chief judicial magistrate’s court ended Shalu’s judicial custody and ordered her release on a personal bond of ₹50,000

Shalu Minocha, who had been in jail in connection with the murder of her father-in-law and drug trader Vineet Minocha, was released on Monday after a court accepted the police closure report giving her a clean chit in the case.

For representation only (HT File Photo)

The chief judicial magistrate’s court ended Shalu’s judicial custody and ordered her release on a personal bond of ₹50,000, subject to the condition that she appear before the court or investigating officer whenever required. She was also to be released on the condition that she was not wanted in any other case, said Shiva Kant Dixit, her lawyer.

Shalu walked out of jail after the necessary formalities were completed. Her lawyer brother, Dheeraj Arora, and other relatives were waiting outside.

She did not speak to the media after coming out of jail. Keeping her face covered, she walked away with her brother and relatives flanking her.

Dheeraj said the family was relieved that the truth had emerged and thanked the Kanpur police and their lawyer.

Asked if the family had expected such a conspiracy involving Shalu’s husband, Dheeraj said they had been completely unaware of it.

“Absolutely not. We had no idea. When the details came out through the media and we saw the commissioner of police’s press conference, we were also completely shocked and surprised. We had absolutely no idea that any of this was happening,” he said.

Dheeraj said Shalu will not return immediately to the Ratan Orbit flat in Kanpur. Her son, Shrijay, is currently staying with him in Lucknow, and Shalu will go directly to her parental home in Lucknow after her release.

Vineet Minocha, a drug trader and resident of flat C-104 at Ratan Orbit in Indira Nagar, was murdered on September 5. Police said he was attacked 17 times with a knife.

The case took a major turn on September 24 when police arrested Vineet’s son, Subrat, alleging that he had masterminded the murder through his former employee Vishal Gautam and Vishal’s associate Rajkishore.

According to police, Subrat told investigators that his father had relationships with several women and that he feared another woman could enter the family and eventually become a claimant to the property. Police also said Subrat was under heavy debt and had been planning his father’s murder for around three months.

Shalu was initially arrested and sent to jail during the investigation after Vishal and Rajkishore allegedly named her as the person behind the murder.

Police later said their investigation established that Shalu had been falsely implicated by her husband. According to investigators, Vishal subsequently disclosed that Subrat had instructed him to name Shalu if he was caught.

Police said Subrat had allegedly promised Vishal ₹6 lakh for the murder. Investigators also alleged that Subrat had planned to make the death appear to be a heart attack and intended to return home, report the death and arrange his father’s funeral.

The original plan, according to police, was to suffocate Vineet with a pillow. Vishal and Rajkishore had allegedly hidden inside the flat before Vineet arrived. When Vineet switched on the light and spotted them, he raised an alarm. Vishal then allegedly attacked him with a knife, killing him.

Shalu had consistently denied any role in the murder. She had told police that she shared a good relationship with Vineet and used to take care of him because he was diabetic.

Police submitted the closure report in Shalu’s favour on Friday. The court considered the report on Monday and ordered her release.