Subrat, the son of drug trader Vineet Minocha, was arrested following his alleged involvement in his father’s murder.
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. Vineet, 60, was stabbed to death at his apartment in Ratan Orbit, Kalyanpur, on September 5. Subrat’s arrest came after he was confronted with Vishal during the 24-hour custody remand of Vishal, Rajkishore and Shalu. Vishal had initially alleged that Shalu had offered him Rs 6 lakh for the killing. Police said Subrat disclosed that he was facing a debt of around Rs 15 lakh.
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. 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. 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 arrested Shalu and alleged contract killers Vishal and Rajkishore the following day.
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. He was to be produced before a court on Thursday. 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.