Kanpur millionaire's son confesses to father's murder, told hitmen to blame wife if held

Subrat changed his statement, realising that his arrest was imminent and confessed to killing his millionaire father, Vineet Minocha, while claiming that his wife, Shalu, was not involved.

In Short

• Subrat confesses to killing father Vineet Minocha during police custody
• Killer Vishal claims Subrat planned murder, instructed him to implicate Shalu
• Financial troubles and property disputes seen as possible motives

The son of Kanpur-based pharma trader Vineet Minocha admitted to police on Wednesday that he was responsible for killing his millionaire father and that his wife, Shalu Minocha, had no role in the crime, taking the high-profile murder probe in a new direction. The hitman he hired also retracted his earlier statement blaming Shalu, telling officials that Subrat had instructed him to name his wife if they were caught.

Subrat's confession came after he was detained on Wednesday and questioned alongside Shalu and former employee Vishal Gautam, who stabbed the millionaire. Police, however, have not given Shalu a clean chit and are continuing to investigate her alleged role.

Earlier, police suspected that Shalu had hired killers to murder 60-year-old Vineet at his Kanpur home.

Subrat initially blamed Shalu during questioning but later changed his version and took responsibility for the murder. He was subsequently arrested for involvement in the murder and conspiracy.

According to Commissioner of Police, Raghubir Lal, Vishal told officials that Subrat had asked him to kill his father and had allegedly promised him Rs 6 lakh. Vishal also claimed that Subrat had told him to name Shalu if he was caught.

Police are now comparing the statements of Subrat, Shalu and Vishal with call records, CCTV footage, circumstantial evidence and the movements of the accused.

SUBRAT CHANGES VERSION DURING QUESTIONING

According to sources, Subrat initially continued to blame Shalu but changed his account as the interrogation progressed and he became convinced that his arrest was imminent.

He reportedly told police that he had initially expected to be arrested immediately. However, after learning that Vishal had not named him in his statement, he became confused about the direction of the investigation.

Subrat also said he felt guilty that Shalu had become embroiled in the case because of him and subsequently decided to take responsibility for the murder.

During questioning, police also reportedly brought Subrat and Shalu face-to-face. Shalu broke down on seeing her husband, while Subrat spoke little and later turned his face away, sources said.

Shalu maintained that she did not know who killed Vineet and had no role in the crime.

According to hitman Vishal's latest statement, Subrat had discussed carrying out the killing in a way that would make Vineet's death appear natural. Vishal also claimed Subrat called him around six times on the day of the murder.

Vishal further alleged that Vineet spotted them inside the room and raised an alarm, following which he panicked and attacked him with a knife.

FINANCIAL, PROPERTY ANGLE EMERGE

Police are examining whether financial and property-related concerns played a role in the conspiracy. According to Vishal's statement, Subrat feared that Vineet might transfer his property to one of the women with whom he allegedly had relationships.

Subrat was also allegedly facing debts of more than Rs 20 lakh, including borrowings from financial institutions and a friend. Police are examining whether his financial liabilities contributed to pressure on him.

Police are also looking into a dispute between Subrat and his father. According to sources, Vineet had reprimanded Subrat in June after discovering that he had sold items from his office without informing him and kept the proceeds.

However, police said a registered will made in 2022 left Vineet's properties to his wife Punita, Subrat and daughter Shubhani.

CALLS BETWEEN SUBRAT, VISHAL TURNED CRUCIAL

Police are examining around 258 calls exchanged between Vishal and Subrat, compared with around 28 between Vishal and Shalu.

Vishal purchased a new SIM card on September 3, two days before the murder. Police said five calls made from that number were placed only to Subrat.

Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal had earlier questioned why Vishal would call Subrat from the new number if Shalu was the conspirator.

Officials have obtained call detail records of seven mobile numbers linked to Subrat, Shalu and Vishal, covering May 1 to September 6.

Police are also investigating why Subrat and Shalu initially denied recognising Vishal when shown his CCTV image. Shalu reportedly identified him when shown the image again.

The CCTV system at Subrat's house is also under scrutiny as the cameras had reportedly been out of service since July 22. Police are examining whether they were deliberately switched off.

THE MURDER ON SEPTEMBER 5

Vineet Minocha was stabbed to death at his Kanpur home on the night of September 5 while Subrat and Shalu were away at a party.

Police later arrested Vishal Gautam and his associate Raj Kishore, alleging that they carried out the killing after being hired to murder Vineet. Shalu was subsequently arrested on allegations that she had plotted the murder and hired the two men.

According to the police timeline, Subrat and Shalu left their house at around 9 pm. About 45 minutes later, Vishal and another accused entered Vineet's house. Subrat and Shalu reached the pub Cosmos Inn, where they partied, close to 10 pm, while Vineet entered the house at around 11 pm.

Kanpur Police are now trying to establish how Subrat's confession and Vishal's latest statements fit with the timeline, call records and other evidence gathered in the case.

- Ends