Model Shraddha Dubey Arrested in Lucknow Cafe Owner's Death
Three individuals, including model Shraddha Dubey, have been apprehended in connection with the death of cafe owner Shiva Sharma in Lucknow.
Shraddha Dubey and two others arrested in Nagpur.
Shiva Sharma's family alleges he was murdered after being tortured.
Political figures are calling for justice amid rising tensions.
On October 20, authorities in Nagpur arrested three individuals, including model Shraddha Dubey, in connection with the death of Shiva Sharma, the owner of a cafe in Lucknow. The arrests were made by local police and a special task force, with all three suspects set to be transported back to Lucknow for further questioning.
The case gained significant attention after Sharma's family alleged that he was assaulted and tortured before his fall from an apartment building on October 9. Initially, police classified the incident as an accidental death, but following the family's claims, a murder investigation was initiated. Dubey, 31, had been evading capture since the incident, which occurred in the Balu Adda area under the jurisdiction of Hazratganj police.
In addition to Dubey, her sister Rashmi and their driver, known as Danish, were also arrested. Each of the suspects had a reward of Rs 50,000 offered for information leading to their capture. Dubey has publicly denied any involvement in Sharma's death, asserting that he jumped from her balcony after using the bathroom. She claims he was in significant debt and had threatened to take his own life if he could not repay it.
The investigation has revealed troubling details, including an audio recording where Sharma allegedly admits to stealing jewelry from Dubey, valued at approximately Rs 6 lakh. Authorities are also exploring the possibility that some suspects may have fled to Nepal, as a vehicle registered in Dubey's name was found abandoned near the border.
The case has sparked political outrage, with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav suggesting that the circumstances surrounding Sharma's death could have serious implications for the Uttar Pradesh government. He emphasized the need for justice, drawing parallels to previous high-profile cases involving police encounters. As the investigation continues, significant personnel changes within the police department have also occurred, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
