Shimla, June 15
A new angle has surfaced in the murder of school director Manisha Mittal, who was shot dead on the premises of her school in Sanjauli, Shimla. Investigators are now examining whether the crime is linked to an 18-year-old family dispute involving a love marriage and a multi-crore property conflict.
According to reports, Manisha Mittal, originally from Rohtak, Haryana, had allegedly been facing threats from her younger brother, Himank Mittal, who remains absconding. A video recorded by the victim before her death has gone viral on social media, in which she claimed that her life was in danger and accused her brother of trying to illegally seize her Shimla property.
The dispute reportedly dates back nearly two decades when Manisha married Dr. Subhash Yadav for love while studying MBBS in Rohtak. Family members allegedly opposed the marriage and never fully accepted the relationship. According to reports, her brother believed the marriage was motivated by an attempt to gain control of family assets.
Family property had reportedly been divided between the siblings, with the Shimla-based Saraswati Paradise School going to Manisha and a school in Rohtak allotted to her brother. Investigators are looking into whether the long-running property dispute played a role in the killing.
Reports also indicate that Manisha and her husband had been involved in legal disputes for the past two years, including a maintenance case currently pending before authorities in Rewari. Just days before her murder, she had visited Rewari in connection with the case and reportedly expressed concerns about ongoing harassment linked to the family property dispute.
Police have launched an extensive investigation and are examining all possible motives, including property disputes, personal enmity, and family conflicts. The search for the prime suspect is continuing.
