In a major development in the murder of Kanpur pharmaceutical businessman Vineet Minocha, a local court on Tuesday granted police custody remand of the three prime suspects, including the victim's daughter-in-law Shalu, along with Vishal Gautam and Rajkishore. Investigating officers will take custody of the trio from prison on Wednesday at 12:00 PM and conduct intensive questioning until Thursday at 12:00 PM. During this 24-hour remand period, investigators aim to interrogate the suspects regarding the murder conspiracy, the preparation of duplicate flat keys, their mutual communication channels, and their actions immediately preceding the crime.
Court Dismisses Shalu's Plea Opposing Custody Remand
On Tuesday, Shalu, Vishal Gautam, and Rajkishore were produced before the court under heavy police deployment. Shalu arrived covering her face with a mask and dupatta, while Rajkishore was seen shielding his face with his hands to evade media cameras. When reporters posed questions regarding the murder to Vishal, he simply shook his head and declined to respond.
Shalu had submitted an application in court on September 19 opposing police custody. In her plea, she argued that the alleged confessional statement cited by investigators as grounds for remand was never given by her. She also requested permission to record a statement before the magistrate under Section 164 without police pressure. However, the court dismissed her objections and granted the investigators' remand request.
Focus on Duplicate Keys and Parade Crossroads Location
According to investigators, the handling of the flat keys has emerged as a crucial piece of physical evidence. In her court petition, Shalu stated that police sought to question her regarding the retrieval of flat keys and wanted to verify the exact spot at Parade Crossroads where she allegedly handed over the keys to Vishal. During the custodial interrogation, investigators plan to determine where and from which specific locksmith the duplicate keys were fabricated, as well as who received them. The police will also press the suspects on Vishal's movements around the apartment and his direct contact with Shalu leading up to the killing.
Interrogating Vishal on Conspiracy and Accomplices
During the remand, police will seek answers from Vishal Gautam about who instructed him to carry out Vineet Minocha's killing and when the plot was initially conceived. The investigation has already revealed that Vishal maintained frequent contact with the businessman's son, Subrat, ahead of the murder. Officers intend to examine the nature of that communication along with Vishal's movements prior to the incident.
Investigators also face questions regarding the telephone conversations between Vishal and Rajkishore before the crime, as well as their planned escape route following the murder. Police are currently compiling a detailed log of outgoing and incoming phone calls made by Vishal immediately after the murder occurred.
Discrepancies Over 309 Phone Calls and a New SIM Card
As part of the forensic probe, police analyzed call detail records across seven mobile numbers associated with Shalu, Subrat, and Vishal. Investigators found that between May 1 and September 5, Subrat and Vishal communicated by phone 309 times. Additionally, just two days prior to the murder, Vishal acquired a new Jio SIM card, which he used to speak directly with Subrat.
When questioned why Vishal's services were required when Subrat's business employed 17 staff members and the household had three domestic workers including a maid, Subrat told police that Vishal was an adept electrical technician whom he routinely called for minor household repair tasks.
Joint Appearances at Gumti and Key Duplication Inquiries
Police questioning has revealed that approximately 20 days prior to the murder, Subrat, Vishal, and Shalu were spotted together. Investigators noted that duplicate keys were discussed or arranged around that same period. Detectives asked Subrat why he failed to question the need for duplicate keys or why Vishal required access to them.
Investigators also questioned Subrat about being seen with Vishal in the Gumti area and escorting him to a physician. Subrat stated to police that Vishal was unwell at the time and that he took him to the doctor purely on medical grounds.
Continued Contact Following Dismissal from Employment
Police records indicate that Vishal worked at the businessman's wholesale shop and residence for approximately 12 years before his eventual dismissal. When police presented CCTV footage of the suspects to Subrat following the murder, he claimed he was unable to identify the individuals in the video.
Investigators have probed why Subrat continued to maintain frequent telephone contact with Vishal even after Vineet Minocha had fired him from the family business. Subrat maintained that his calls were strictly limited to hiring Vishal for minor repair chores.
Questions Over Rs 49,000 Party on Night of the Murder
The couple's activities on the night of the crime have drawn close scrutiny. According to DCP West SM Qasim Abidi, Subrat and Shalu attended a couple kitty party at the Cosmogin Lounge in Tilak Nagar on the night of September 5. The gathering included around 35 individuals associated with the pharmaceutical trade.
Lounge records show that while the event was scheduled to commence at 11:30 PM, the couple arrived early at approximately 10:30 PM, eventually leaving at around 3:00 AM. The party booking was arranged at roughly Rs 1,400 per plate, resulting in a total bill of approximately Rs 49,000. During questioning, Subrat stated that his monthly salary was Rs 35,000, while Shalu received an allowance of roughly Rs 10,000. Investigators questioned how the couple managed a single night party expense of Rs 49,000 against a combined monthly income of Rs 45,000.
Scrutiny of Social Media Deletions
Investigators discovered that days after the killing, Subrat updated his Facebook profile wallpaper to feature his commercial firm, Pharma Traders. Following a flurry of critical comments on the post, the image was abruptly deleted. Technical teams also found that several photographs and video reels were scrubbed from his Facebook and Instagram accounts, which police are now examining closely.
Victim Suffered Fatal Knife Wounds on September 5
Vineet Minocha resided with his family in flat C-104 on the first floor of the Ratan Orbit apartment complex. He operated a wholesale pharmaceutical firm named Pharma Traders on Birhana Road, which his family reported generated an annual turnover of between Rs 50 crore and Rs 60 crore. On the night of September 5, attackers killed Vineet Minocha by inflicting multiple knife wounds to his neck and chest.
On the night of September 6, police apprehended Vishal Gautam and his associate Rajkishore. Investigators stated that during initial questioning, Vishal named Shalu, leading to her subsequent arrest and detention.
Wife's Will Added to Murder Investigation Scope
During the ongoing probe, detectives obtained a registered will executed by Vineet Minocha's wife, Punita Minocha, dating back to June 2022 from the registry office. Police have incorporated the terms and asset division stipulations of the will into their investigation into possible motives.
With the 24-hour custodial interrogation underway, investigators plan to confront the accused trio with technical call evidence, physical movement logs, and financial records to reconstruct the exact sequence of events. Meanwhile, Shalu's brother and sister previously organized a press conference maintaining her complete innocence, stating she was deeply devoted to caring for her ailing father-in-law.
