The Kanpur businessman murder case now centers on the victim's son, Subrat, arrested days after his wife and two others were taken into custody.

The Kanpur businessman murder case has taken a dramatic turn, with police arresting the victim's own son for allegedly plotting his father's killing. Officers arrested Subrat on September 23, days after his wife and two other men were already in custody over the murder of pharmaceutical dealer Vineet Manocha.

In brief: Vineet Manocha, aged 60, was found with his throat slit at his Indira Nagar flat on September 5. His daughter-in-law Shalu, former employee Vishal Gautam and an associate, Rajkishore were arrested first. Subrat was arrested on September 23 after call records supposedly linked him to the killers.

What happened on the night of the murder?

Manocha was alone at home when he was attacked and his son Subrat and his wife Shalu had gone out to a party. His body was later found with his throat slit, inside the flat. Initially investigators suspected Shalu as the mastermind, as she supposedly co-ordinated with the hitmen while she was out socialising.

Why was Subrat arrested?

Detectives found six calls made to Subrat from a freshly bought SIM card, which traced back to the alleged killer. Deleted chats between Subrat and Vishal were recovered and their locations supposedly overlapped at various times before the murder.

What was the supposed motive?

Subrat supposedly told interrogators his father had relationships with several women and he was afraid Manocha would move in with one of them and sign over his assets. Money pressure was also apparently a factor: his father gave him roughly Rs 40,000 a month, but his own loan installments were close to Rs 55,000. The original plan, police said, was to stage an accident or natural death, which was later abandoned.

What has the police commissioner said?

Commissioner Raghubir Lal told PTI that they pieced together the conspiracy using call detail records, CCTV footage, digital and scientific evidence and other recoveries. He said Vishal supposedly told the police that Subrat promised him Rs 6 lakh for the killing and had instructed him, if caught, to name Shalu instead.

More to know:

Shalu supposedly broke down during questioning and told the police she was being framed to protect her husband. Lal said she has "not yet been given a clean chit" meaning her involvement is still under investigation as the focus turns towards Subrat's role. Investigators also say Subrat and Vishal tried to divert suspicion to her.

The UP businessman murder case has gone from a suspected family conspiracy orchestrated by a daughter-in-law to one that supposedly involved the victim's son.

Business Fortune concludes, with four people arrested, police say the digital evidence of calls, deleted chats and locations are the backbone of their case as they investigate.

FAQs

Who was killed in the Kanpur businessman murder case?

Vineet Manocha, a 60-year-old pharmaceutical dealer, was found with his throat slit at his Indira Nagar flat on September 5.

Who has been arrested in the case so far?

Manocha's daughter-in-law Shalu, former employee Vishal Gautam, an associate, Rajkishore and most recently, his son Subrat.

Why did Subrat allegedly want his father killed?

Police say he feared his father would transfer his property to another woman he was supposedly involved with.

What evidence links Subrat to the murder?

Six calls from a freshly bought SIM linked to the alleged killer and recovered deleted chats before the murder.

Is Shalu still considered a suspect?

Yes, she has not been cleared. Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said she has "not yet been given a clean chit" as her involvement is still being investigated.

Sources
NDTV . Telangana Today (PTI) . Free Press Journal . The Week . Brut