Image Credit: X/ TOI Lucknow
LUCKNOW: Twists and turns continue to emerge in the investigation into the death of businessman Shiva Sharma, who fell from the fourth floor of an apartment in Lucknow, with fresh videos of his alleged confrontation with his live-in partner, model-influencer Shraddha Dubey, surfacing as the search for her reportedly extends to Nepal.Dubey, the prime accused in the case, has denied any role in Sharma’s death and claimed he died by suicide. Meanwhile, photographs and CCTV footage purportedly showing her travelling with her sister Rashmi and an associate have emerged as police attempt to trace the trio’s movements.The three were last traced to Mahim Nagar in Nepal, where CCTV cameras reportedly captured them crossing a road and entering a bus station.
Sources said they stayed overnight and left by bus the following morning, before police could reach the location. Police have not officially confirmed the identities of those seen in the footage.Sharma died on October 9 after falling from the fourth floor of Awadh Green Apartment in Lucknow’s Hazratganj area, near Balu Adda. His mother, Ranjana Sharma, lodged an FIR accusing Dubey, her sister Rashmi, driver Adil and others of murdering him.
The family has alleged that Dubey pushed Sharma from the building, a claim being investigated by police.
According to news agency PTI, an audio clip, purportedly a phone conversation between Shraddha and Shiva, also surfaced on social media.In the recording, the two are heard arguing, with the woman seemingly furious at Sharma for staying out longer than expected and threatening to inform "sir" about it.The authenticity of the audio clip could not be independently verified.1st videoIn an earlier video statement, Dubey denied wrongdoing and urged the media not to link her to politicians and senior officials.“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.She also denied being absconding and claimed she wanted to cooperate with investigators.“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.
2nd videoIn a second video, Dubey again claimed Sharma died by suicide and said she had been under severe emotional and mental strain since the incident.She said she had known Sharma for nearly four months and had been in a relationship with him for around two months. According to her account, they had not spoken for several days before October 7, when Sharma allegedly tried to contact her through her driver after locating him through a tea vendor in Lucknow’s Kapurthala area.Dubey claimed Sharma was crying while trying to reach her and that she spoke to him twice before receiving another call around 2am. She said he wanted to meet her, arrived at her residence in his BMW and had consumed alcohol.She also alleged that Sharma was under a debt of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh and frequently received calls from creditors. According to her, he had repeatedly spoken about ending his life if he could not repay the money.Rejecting allegations of torture or mistreatment, she said Sharma’s friends, Ashwini Mishra and Harsh, visited on October 8 and saw nothing unusual. She also said her sister Rashmi visited that day for Navratri-related arrangements.3rd video: Two more clips surfaceHours after the two video statements went viral, two more short clips purportedly showing Dubey confronting Sharma over alleged jewellery theft surfaced on social media.In the first clip, Dubey questions Sharma about the alleged theft of three gold chains and a bracelet, asking whether he took the items in September or October and where he sold them in Lucknow’s Chowk area.
She says she is asking him politely and has not yet called the police, adding that she will contact them after getting answers. She also asks how much money he received from the alleged sale and when he would return the amount, which she puts at around Rs 6 lakh.In the second clip, Dubey asks Sharma when he will return the money. When he indicates that he would repay it within a month, she appears to suggest keeping his vehicle until the amount is returned.The context of the clips and their relevance to Sharma’s death have not been independently established.Police search continuesLucknow Police have announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each for information leading to the arrest of Dubey, Rashmi Dubey and Tanveer Ali, alias Danish, who are wanted in connection with the case.Police teams have been deployed at multiple locations, while investigators examine CCTV footage, photographs and other inputs to reconstruct the accused persons’ movements.
Dubey has urged investigators to examine CCTV footage, mobile data and call detail records, maintaining that Sharma died by suicide. Her claims remain unverified, and the circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.