Upset over CCTV, late-night party restrictions: Woman hires two men for Rs 6 lakh to kill father-in-law

 

By Sumesh Rajan | September 9, 2026

Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: A 63-year-old pharmaceutical businessman was allegedly murdered at his home in Kanpur after his daughter-in-law hired a former employee and his associate for Rs 6 lakh to kill him following disputes over household finances, CCTV surveillance and her late-night outings, police said.

The victim, Vineet Minocha, was found dead inside his apartment in Kanpur’s Kalyanpur area in the early hours of September 6. Police said he had been stabbed repeatedly.

His daughter-in-law, Shalu Minocha, along with alleged assailants Vishal Gautam, 30, and Raj Kishore, 25, have been arrested in connection with the murder. The three were subsequently produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

According to investigators, Shalu had allegedly been upset with her father-in-law for some time. Police said she claimed that Vineet controlled the family’s finances and that she had to seek money from him even for relatively small household and personal expenses.

Tensions allegedly increased after Vineet installed CCTV cameras inside the house. While he reportedly told the family that the cameras were meant for security, Shalu allegedly complained that the surveillance interfered with her privacy.

Police said Vineet also objected to her attending late-night parties and returning home late.

Investigators said a major argument took place on July 28 after Shalu returned home late from a party. Police suspect the dispute became a turning point and eventually led to the alleged murder conspiracy.

Rs 6-Lakh Contract to Kill Father-in-Law

According to police, Shalu allegedly approached Vishal, a former employee at Vineet’s pharmaceutical business, and offered him Rs 6 lakh to kill her father-in-law.

Vishal, who was reportedly facing debts of around Rs 2 lakh, allegedly agreed and brought his friend Raj Kishore into the conspiracy. Police said Raj Kishore was offered Rs 30,000 as an advance.

Investigators said the original plan was to suffocate Vineet with a pillow while he slept so that his death could be passed off as a heart attack.

To facilitate their entry into the apartment, Shalu allegedly provided Vishal with a key so that a duplicate could be made.

Police said the plan was finalised shortly before the murder, with Shalu allegedly informing the two men that she would be away from the house with her husband, Subrat, and their child on the night of September 5.

Investigators also allege that Shalu helped Vishal get past security. When the men reached the residential complex, the security guard initially stopped them. Police said Shalu was contacted over the phone and facilitated their entry.

The two men then allegedly used the duplicate key to enter the apartment and hid inside a bedroom while waiting for Vineet.

Plan to Stage Heart Attack Goes Wrong

At around 11 pm, Vineet entered the bedroom and apparently sensed someone inside.

Police said the two accused panicked and abandoned their alleged plan to suffocate him. Armed with knives, they allegedly attacked Vineet repeatedly before fleeing from the apartment.

The attackers reportedly escaped by jumping over a rear boundary wall.

Shalu, her husband and their child returned home in the early hours of the following morning and discovered Vineet lying in a pool of blood. Police were subsequently informed.

Investigators found no apparent signs of forced entry and no valuables were reported missing from the apartment, leading them to suspect that robbery was not the motive.

CCTV footage from the residential complex and surrounding areas subsequently helped investigators identify Vishal and Raj Kishore as suspects.

During questioning, police said the two men disclosed that they had allegedly been hired by Shalu to murder Vineet. She was subsequently taken into custody and, according to investigators, initially attempted to mislead police before allegedly admitting her involvement.

Two Accused Injured in Police ‘Encounter’

Police later received information that Vishal and Raj Kishore were hiding in the Ratanpur area and launched an operation to apprehend them.

According to the police version of events, the accused allegedly opened fire after spotting officers. Police retaliated, leaving both men with gunshot injuries to their legs. They were taken to hospital for treatment before further legal proceedings.

Investigators are continuing to examine evidence in the case, including phone records, to establish the full sequence of events and determine whether anyone else had prior knowledge of the alleged conspiracy.

Police have described financial control, resentment over CCTV surveillance and disputes surrounding Shalu’s late-night outings as factors behind the alleged murder plot.