Court orders release after closure report; probe shifts to victim’s son
Kanpur: A local court on Monday ordered the release of 30-year-old Shalu Manocha, the daughter-in-law of slain pharmaceutical trader Vineet Manocha, after police submitted a closure report stating there was no evidence to link her to the September murder. The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) directed her release on a personal bond of ₹50,000 and instructed her to appear before the court or investigating officer whenever required.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) SM Qasim Abidi said the jail superintendent confirmed Ms Manocha walked out of jail at around 7.30pm after the CJM’s order reached the prison. The CJM examined the closure report filed by investigators and found no material to establish the woman’s involvement in the crime, the order recorded.
- Victim: Vineet Manocha, 63, stabbed multiple times at his Kalyanpur residence on September 5.
- Released: Shalu Manocha released on personal bond of ₹50,000; ordered to cooperate with further proceedings.
- Investigation focus: Police later arrested the victim’s son, Subrat Manocha, following changes in statements by accused persons.
The police had initially arrested Ms Manocha on the basis of a statement by one of the accused contract killers, identified as Vishal Gautam, who allegedly claimed the murder was carried out at her behest and that he was promised a total of ₹6 lakh, with ₹2 lakh paid in advance. However, Abidi said a detailed probe did not uncover evidence to establish either direct or indirect involvement by Ms Manocha.
“During a detailed investigation, no evidence was found to establish Shalu’s direct or indirect involvement in the crime,” DCP (West) SM Qasim Abidi said, according to the police statement.
Investigators later said they received a revised statement from Vishal Gautam, in which he implicated Subrat Manocha in the conspiracy. On that basis, police arrested Subrat and produced him in court. According to the investigating team, the allegation is that Subrat offered ₹6 lakh to the hitmen and instructed them to name his wife if they were apprehended. Police said they were verifying this claim through call records and other digital and circumstantial material.
Police further alleged motives related to family and finances. The probe notes cited by investigators claim Subrat feared his father would create obstacles to his lifestyle; the officers said he had accumulated debts exceeding ₹40 lakh. Investigators also stated Subrat reportedly received ₹40,000 a month from his father while facing monthly debt repayments of about ₹55,000.
| Key dates | Development |
|---|---|
| 5 Sept | Vineet Manocha stabbed at Kalyanpur residence |
| 7 Sept | Initial arrest of Shalu Manocha based on accused’s statement |
| 24 Sept | Arrest of son, Subrat Manocha, as investigation focus shifted |
| Release date (Monday) | Court orders release of Shalu Manocha on personal bond |
Family members of Ms Manocha had consistently denied her involvement. Her brother, identified in earlier reports, said the child of Ms Manocha was staying with him in Lucknow and that she would travel directly to her parental home. Counsel for Ms Manocha completed bond formalities before her release, the court record shows.
The case, which has drawn intense local attention because of the victim’s business profile and the violent nature of the attack, remains under active investigation. Police said they will continue to examine digital data, call records and circumstantial evidence to establish the sequence of events and confirm who orchestrated the killing.
For Kanpur residents, the developments underline how investigations can shift rapidly as police re-examine witness statements and forensic leads. The court’s direction to keep Ms Manocha available for further proceedings maintains judicial oversight while investigators pursue the alternate leads that have resulted in the arrest of the victim’s son.
