SHIMLA: Twenty-four hours after the brazen daylight murder of a private school woman director in Shimla on Saturday evening, local police remain empty-handed. The incident has raised serious questions over the law-and-order situation in the capital city, as investigators are yet to trace the accused.
An eyewitness to the crime has now come forward. Yashpal, a security guard hailing from Nirmand in Kullu, who joined the job just two months ago, recounted the moments leading up to the shooting.
“I was inside the gate when the incident occurred. Manisha Mittal was walking towards the gate to open it. Two masked boys approached from the lower side. Everything happened right outside the gate. If they had come from inside the school, I would have spotted them,” Yashpal said, adding that the attackers appeared well-prepared. “Three to four rounds were fired. They held the gun right against her head and shot her.”
Yashpal mentioned he had limited interaction with the victim and was unaware of any ongoing disputes or fights.
Deep-Rooted Property Dispute
Manisha Mittal, the director of Saraswati Paradise International School located in Bhattakufer, Sanjauli, originally hailed from Rohtak in Haryana and was married in Rewari.
She was locked in a bitter dispute with her brother over school partnership shares and property for several years, a matter currently pending before the High Court. Fearing for her life, Mittal had previously expressed apprehensions about being murdered and had actively sought police protection.
She had repeatedly taken to social media to air her grievances and even held a press conference on April 4, seeking security through the 112 helpline and local police. Due to the persistent threats, she had been residing within the school premises for the past few months.
Daughter’s Safety Concerns
The brutal murder in a peace-loving state like Himachal Pradesh has triggered widespread panic and outrage among locals. Following her mother’s death, serious concerns have emerged regarding the safety of Mittal’s 17-year-old daughter.
The mother-daughter duo lived alone inside the school campus. Locals have now urged the administration to immediately provide security to the minor girl, fearing her life is also in danger.
Investigation Underway
Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Gaurav Singh stated in a press release that multiple police teams have been formed to track down the killers.
Investigators are currently scanning CCTV footage from the area and probing the case from all angles, including the deep-seated family dispute. For now, senior police officials are tight-lipped and refraining from sharing further details with the media as the manhunt continues.
