Lucknow, October 20 (TNA) Model and social media influencer Shraddha Dubey, who had been absconding in connection with the death of Lucknow businessman Shiva Sharma, has been arrested in Nagpur, officials said on Tuesday.
The arrest was carried out in a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Lucknow Police. Dubey had allegedly been evading arrest for several days, with police teams searching for her in multiple locations, including areas near the Nepal border.
Sharma, a café owner and businessman, died after falling from the fourth floor of an apartment in Lucknow’s Hazratganj area on October 9. His family alleged that he had been murdered, following which police registered a case against Dubey, her sister Rashmi Dubey, their driver and other unidentified persons.
Police had been under growing pressure over their failure to trace Dubey, who reportedly continued to issue statements and videos while remaining out of reach. Authorities had announced a reward for information leading to the arrest of Dubey, her sister and the driver, and later secured non-bailable warrants against them.
Dubey had denied involvement in Sharma’s death and reportedly claimed that he had died by suicide. The police investigation is examining CCTV footage, digital evidence, alleged communications and the circumstances surrounding Sharma’s fall.
Her arrest is expected to provide investigators with an opportunity to question her about her alleged role, the events inside the apartment and the whereabouts of other accused persons. Police are also expected to produce her before a court and seek custody for further investigation.
The case has attracted considerable public attention because of the allegations made by Sharma’s family and the prolonged police search for the principal accused. The final circumstances of Sharma’s death will be established only after the completion of the investigation and judicial proceedings.