24-year-old physiotherapist found dead, murder suspected

A 24-year-old woman physiotherapist was found dead under mysterious circumstances at her house in suburban Vile Parle early this morning, with police suspecting she was sexually assaulted and murdered.
The woman was found dead at around 3 am.
There were burn injuries on her face and a pair of jeans was wrapped around her neck. "We are in the process of registering a murder case," said a senior police official.
Police were awaiting autopsy report to ascertain whether the victim was sexually assaulted, the official said adding her friend, neighbours and relatives were being questioned.
The woman lived with her parents at a one-plus tenement in a chawl. She occupied the top room which served as her study room.

Sachin Phatji, a neighbour, said they saw smoke coming out of her room and alerted her parents. When her parents and others went upstairs and doused the fire in the room, they found her lying dead on the floor.
Another neighbour said she was last seen with two of her girl friends who were at her place till 11 pm.