3 min readShimlaUpdated: Jun 30, 2026 02:32 PM IST
Seventeen days after the sensational murder of Manisha Mittal, 41, an executive at a prominent private school in Shimla, the police Tuesday arrested the victim’s younger brother and an accomplice. The two allegedly conspired to execute the contract killing using two hired shooters.
The prime accused has been identified as Himank Mittal, 31, the victim’s younger brother and chairman of the Saraswati Paradise International Public School in Sanjauli. The second arrested suspect is Gobind, who had reportedly fled to Thailand two days before the June 13 murder and returned to India last week.
According to the police, the two alleged shooters, Ashish Ahlawat, 22, and Deepak Budhwal, 25, both from Haryana, were arrested on June 16 and remain in police custody.
Mehar Panwar, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Shimla, said the investigation had revealed that the murder was the outcome of a property dispute involving the management of Saraswati Paradise International Public School at Sanjauli.
Police sources revealed that a massive financial dispute over a Rs 8 crore fixed deposit further fuelled the sibling rivalry. The siblings’ late father, Dharam Pal Mittal, had initially secured a Rs 8-crore bank loan to expand the school.
When the Covid -19 pandemic disrupted those plans, he secured the funds in an FD. Following his death, a battle for the ownership of the FD broke out. Himank’s recent attempt to claim the amount was fiercely opposed by Manisha, escalating family tensions, said the police.
The police said the prime accused, Himank Mittal, is currently bedridden with a fractured leg and arm following an attack by unidentified assailants in Rohtak on June 1.
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“Although the Rohtak police registered an FIR against unknown people, our investigation has established that Himank Mittal orchestrated the murder of his elder sister due to a dispute over the ownership and management of Saraswati Paradise International Public School.” ASP Panwar said.
“The conspiracy was allegedly executed through Gobind, who has been brought to Shimla for detailed interrogation.”
The officer said that the investigation also established that Himank Mittal had transferred Rs 8.50 lakh to Gobind days before the killing of his sister. The ASP further said that Himank Mittal would be brought to Shimla once doctors declared him medically fit.
“The two shooters, who were arrested earlier, remain in police custody. The shooters have been paid Rs 70,000 by Gobind so far. Rs 50,000 was paid in cash, and Rs 20,000 were through a bank transaction,” she added.
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Manisha Mittal was shot dead outside the entrance gate of Saraswati Paradise International Public School in Housing Board Colony, Sanjauli, on June 13, sending shockwaves across Shimla.
Before his arrest, Himank Mittal had denied any involvement in the murder, maintaining that he had no connection with his sister and that the two had not been on speaking terms for a long time.
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