LUCKNOW: A second video statement by Shraddha Dubey, who is wanted in connection with the death of 28-year-old restaurant owner Shiva Sharma, has surfaced on social media. Police have announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for information leading to her arrest.In the video, Dubey denies any role in Sharma’s death, describes it as a suicide and claims that he was under severe financial stress due to debts of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. She has also appealed to the media to stop linking her to the case, saying she is under immense mental distress following the incident.Dubey says she had known Sharma for around four months and had been in a relationship with him for approximately two months. According to her, they had not spoken for several days before October 7, when Sharma allegedly contacted her driver through a tea vendor at the main crossing in Lucknow’s Kapurthala area.She claims Sharma was crying when he tried to reach her. Dubey says she called him twice before he called her around 2am and told her he was coming to meet her. He later arrived in his BMW. According to her account, he had consumed alcohol before they met.Dubey says they then went to Pedalers Cafe, where Sharma ordered matcha for her and her driver, along with juice for himself. She claims they later returned home, with Sharma driving her car and her driver driving Sharma’s BMW.
Claims Sharma was under financial stress
Dubey alleges that Sharma had debts of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh and frequently received calls from creditors when they were together. She claims he had told her that he might take his own life if he failed to repay the money, although she says she did not take his statements seriously at the time.Dubey says she has screenshots of their conversations that she intends to share. She also claims Sharma’s mobile phone has been handed over to the police and that an examination of his call detail records could help establish the nature of the calls he received from creditors and shed light on the circumstances leading to his death.Her claims about Sharma’s debts and state of mind have not been independently verified.
Denies torture, recounts events before death
Dubey denies that Sharma was subjected to torture or abuse while he was with her. She says Sharma’s friends, whom she identifies as Ashwini Mishra and Harsh, visited them on October 8 and that their interactions were normal.She also says her sister visited her home that day to discuss arrangements for Navratri. According to Dubey, her sister barely knew Sharma and had no connection with the circumstances surrounding his death.Recounting the events of October 9, Dubey says she and Sharma woke up and went to the drawing room to have tea. Sharma then went to the washroom but closed the main entrance door, which she claims was unusual.Dubey says she became suspicious because of his earlier statements about his financial difficulties and asked her sister to check on him. However, she claims Sharma jumped from the balcony before her sister could open the door.Sharma died after falling from the fourth floor of an apartment near Balu Adda in Lucknow’s Hazratganj area on October 9.
Alleges Sharma’s mother assaulted her driver
Dubey claims Sharma’s mother arrived at the hospital after being informed of the incident and assaulted her driver. She says the incident would have been captured on hospital CCTV cameras.She further alleges that Sharma’s family accused her and others of murder without establishing the circumstances surrounding his death. Dubey says CCTV footage, call records and other evidence should be examined to determine what happened.These claims form part of Dubey’s account and have not been independently corroborated.
Appeals to media, cites mental distress
Towards the end of the video, Dubey appeals to the media not to circulate rumours or repeatedly link her to the murder allegations. She says her deteriorating health and mental state prevented her from speaking immediately after the incident.She adds that she is grieving the loss of someone close to her and claims that continued harassment could push her towards suicide.Police have announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each for information leading to the arrest of three people in connection with Sharma’s death: Dubey, her sister Rashmi Dubey, and Tanveer Ali, alias Danish, reportedly Dubey’s driver.The investigation into Sharma’s death is continuing. Dubey’s claims about suicide, financial distress and the events leading up to Sharma’s fall remain to be examined by investigators against CCTV footage, call detail records, witness accounts and other available evidence.
