LUCKNOW: A black SUV abandoned barely a kilometre from the Nepal border, a murder accused claiming on video that her partner died by suicide, and a police hunt— the investigation into the death of Lucknow restaurant owner Shiva Sharma has taken a new turn.Model and social media influencer Shraddha Dubey, named as the prime accused in the death of 28-year-old Sharma, has denied murdering him, claiming that he died by suicide. In a video posted on social media, she said she was willing to appear before the police and record her statement.“I am not missing. I want to come before the police and tell them everything I know. I want to place the complete truth before them,” she said.The video surfaced as police continued searching for Dubey, her sister Rashmi Dubey and Tanveer Ali alias Danish, who have been named as accused in the case.
Model denies links to politicians, officials
In the 1-minute-15-second video, Dubey alleged that rumours were being spread about her and objected to attempts to link her to politicians and senior officials based on social media associations.“Just because someone follows me or is connected to me on Instagram does not mean I know them or have any relationship with them,” she said, appealing to the media not to draw conclusions without evidence.Dubey also said she was not in a condition to explain the circumstances surrounding Sharma’s death in detail because of her health.“The truth is that Shiva Sharma did not die due to murder but by suicide,” she said.Her claims have not been independently verified.
SUV found near Nepal border
The development came after a black Mahindra Scorpio-N allegedly linked to Dubey was found abandoned in Rupaidiha town in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district, around one kilometre from the Nepal border.The vehicle was registered in Dubey’s name, a police officer said.The discovery has raised the possibility that Dubey, her sister and Ali may have crossed into Nepal, a police personnel privy to the investigation said. Nepalgunj, on the other side of the border, has several hotels, casinos and upscale localities.Rupaidiha serves as a regulated transit point between India and Nepal.Lucknow Police announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each for information leading to the arrest of the three accused. They have been booked at Hazratganj police station.
Family alleges murder
Sharma died on October 9 after falling from the fourth floor of Awadh Green Apartment in Lucknow’s Hazratganj area.The incident, initially viewed as accidental, became a murder investigation after Sharma’s family alleged that he had been assaulted and tortured before being thrown from the building.His mother, Ranjana Sharma, lodged an FIR accusing Dubey, her sister Rashmi, driver Adil and others of murdering her son. The family has alleged that Dubey pushed him from the building, a claim investigators are examining.According to police sources, Sharma had been in a relationship with Dubey for around four months.
Audio clip surfaces on social media
An audio clip purportedly featuring a phone conversation between Dubey and Sharma also surfaced on social media.In the recording, the two are heard arguing, with the woman seemingly angry that Sharma had stayed out longer than expected and threatening to inform “sir” about it.The authenticity of the recording could not be independently verified. Lucknow Police had not issued an official statement on the clip.Meanwhile, Dubey’s stepmother declined to speak to reporters at the family’s ancestral house in the Malik Mau Ayma area of Rae Bareli district. She said Dubey had not been in contact with the family for the past few years and did not visit home.(With inputs from PTI)
