A Kanpur court is scheduled to hear police requests for custody of Shalu, the daughter-in-law of pharmaceutical trader Vineet Minocha, along with former servant Vishal Gautam and his associate Raj Kishor. This hearing will take place on Tuesday. Additionally, Shalu has filed an application opposing the police remand, adding complexity to the ongoing investigation into Minocha’s murder.
Police said Shalu could be confronted with her husband, Subrat, if custody was granted, while call detail records showed that Vishal and Subrat spoke 309 times between May 1 and Sept 5 — the day Vineet was stabbed 26 times. Shalu, Vishal and Raj, who are in jail, were produced before the ACJM court on Sept 19. Police sought her custody on September 15 to determine which of four keys to her flat was allegedly given to Vishal for duplication, according to the application.
Police said Subrat could not explain the purpose of that conversation. Police sought their remand, while Shalu’s counsel, Shivakant Dixit, filed an application opposing it. Shalu is lodged in Kanpur district jail. Police also want to take her to the flat to identify the key and to Parade Chauraha to verify where it was allegedly handed over.
Vishal allegedly bought a SIM two days before the murder and spoke to Subrat using it. The court will hear both applications on Tuesday. DCP West SM Qasim Abidi said the remand plea would be heard on Tuesday and that Shalu would be confronted with Subrat if custody was granted.
Shalu Challenges Custody Grounds in Legal Proceedings
Shalu has contested the basis for her custody, claiming that the investigating officer’s assertions are incorrect and stem from a statement she did not make. In her application, she expressed a desire to provide her statement voluntarily to the magistrate, emphasizing that she wishes to do so without any pressure or fear.