Shiva Sharma Murder Case: Prime Accused Shraddha Dubey and Two Others Nabbed
UP STF and Lucknow Police arrest Shraddha Dubey and two others in Nagpur in connection with the Shiva Sharma murder case.
In a major breakthrough in the Shiva Sharma murder case, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UPSTF) and Lucknow Police have arrested the prime suspect, Shraddha Dubey, along with two other accomplices. The trio, who had been absconding since the crime, were apprehended during a joint operation in Nagpur on Tuesday.
The arrests include Shraddha Dubey, her sister Rashmi Dubey, and their driver, Danish. Each of the three individuals was carrying a reward of Rs 50,000, as the police intensified their search across multiple locations to bring them to justice.
The Investigation and Manhunt
The legal proceedings began on October 9, when a murder case was registered at the Hazratganj police station. The case was initiated following a formal complaint lodged by the victim's mother, Ranjana Sharma, under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
To track down the fugitives, the Lucknow Police deployed a comprehensive network of specialized teams, including surveillance units and the Special Operations Group (SOG). Initially, a reward of Rs 25,000 was announced for information leading to the suspects, which was later doubled to Rs 50,000 to expedite the capture.
A Mother's Account: The Web of Lies
The victim's mother, Ranjana Sharma, has shared a chilling account of the events surrounding her son's death, alleging a calculated attempt to mislead her. She recalled receiving a call from Shraddha's sister, who claimed that Shiva had accidentally fallen from a balcony and was being rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
However, the narrative quickly fell apart when Ranjana reached the hospital and discovered there was no record of Shiva's admission. Upon questioning the sister again, she was directed to the driver, Danish. When Ranjana eventually located an ambulance at the Medical College emergency ward, Danish reportedly dismissed her queries, stating he was "just a servant" who knew nothing, before fleeing the scene.
"Shiva was not suffering from any depression... I want arrests to be made in this case as soon as possible, and I seek justice," Ranjana Sharma stated, emphasizing that she has handed over all available evidence to the authorities.
The Defense: Suicide or Conspiracy?
While the police treat this as a murder investigation, Shraddha Dubey has previously denied all allegations. She maintained that Shiva Sharma had committed suicide and claimed that CCTV footage from her residential building would prove her innocence.
Shraddha argued that her relationship with Shiva was brief, lasting only about four months, with a friendship spanning roughly two to two-and-a-half months. She contended that Shiva had only visited her home in the last two months, arguing that it was unlikely for a relationship to deteriorate so violently in such a short window. She further alleged that the accusations made by Ranjana Sharma were false and driven by a personal dislike toward her.
The arrested suspects are currently being transferred from Nagpur to Lucknow to undergo further legal formalities and interrogation.