Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh-based model and social media influencer Shradha Dubey is in the spotlight after being named as an accused in the murder of businessman Shiva Sharma. The state Police Wednesday announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for information leading to her arrest. Shradha, who was reportedly living with Sharma, has been absconding since his death following a fall.
Police have formed six teams to trace the three murder accused: Shradha Dubey, her sister Rashmi Dubey and Tanveer Ali alias Danish (Shradha’s employee) in connection with the murder case registered at Lucknow’s Hazratganj police station. DCP (Central) Vikrant Veer announced the rewards.
Investigators suspect Shradha Dubey may have fled to Nepal with her sister. According to police sources, her last known location was traced to Rupaidiha in Bahraich district, near the Nepal border.
What happened to Shiva Sharma?
The case came to light last week when 28-year-old businessman Shiva Sharma fell from the fourth floor of Awadh Green Apartments in Lucknow. Residents rushed to the spot after hearing a loud sound and found him on the ground with serious injuries. He was reportedly wearing only underwear, with lipstick on his face.
Sharma later died. He was reportedly living with Shradha in the apartment for the past four months.
Following his death, Sharma’s mother, Ranjana Sharma, lodged a complaint alleging murder. Police subsequently registered a case against Shradha and four others. The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding his fall, the accused’s alleged role and the events leading to his death.
Sharma’s family has alleged that Shradha used the names of influential people to intimidate and blackmail him. Police are also examining her past disputes, financial transactions and network of contacts as part of the investigation.
Alleged links with influential people
The investigation has also drawn attention to Shradha’s alleged connections with history-sheeters and people linked to criminal networks. According to sources in UP police, photographs of Dubey with Abhishek Singh alias Babu Singh, a history-sheeter from Lucknow who has been described as close to the Mukhtar Ansari gang, have circulated on social media.
Sources in the police have alleged that Shradha used her contacts to intimidate people and would sometimes get her associates to make threatening calls.
Ranjana Sharma has also claimed that Shradha has links with politicians, senior officials and former cricketers, and allegedly used their names to intimidate her son. Police are investigating her contacts and the claims made by the family.
In an audio clip circulating on social media, she is purportedly heard referring to a senior Uttar Pradesh bureaucrat. However, ThePrint has not independently verified the audio clip or the claim.
Sharma’s family have also alleged that Shradha had previously filed complaints of molestation and other offences against several people, including at Hazratganj police station. The circumstances and outcomes of those cases are to be established independently.
From Raebareli to Lucknow’s social circles
Shradha belongs to Raebareli and was previously married to a man called Prince Dubey. The couple divorced in 2022, according to reports. She has a son who reportedly lives with his father.
Sources in the police suggest Shradha moved to Lucknow about a decade ago after differences with her husband over where they should live. She initially stayed with her sister before renting a flat near Balu Adda crossing in the city.
Later she took up modelling in Lucknow and gradually built a presence in the city’s social circles. She reportedly attended parties and developed contacts among influential people. She has also reportedly organised a modelling show.
Sharma and Shradha reportedly met at a club in Lucknow and had been living together for around four months before his death. Their relationship is now a key aspect of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the businessman’s death.
Police are examining Shradha’s previous contacts and alleged associates to establish her whereabouts and determine whether anyone helped the accused evade arrest.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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The modelling and party circuit in any Indian city is filled with such characters. Most, if not all, aspiring models and wannabe actors indulge in such shady activities.
No wonder parents dissuade their children from opting for a career in modelling or films.