Elderly man murdered and robbed; 2 accused held

A 78-year-old man was allegedly murdered at his Bandra house and his wife beaten by their former servant, who decamped with cash and valuables collectively valued at Rs 8.09 lakh, police said.
The deceased, identified as Darais Kapadia, had retired as the principal secretary at Bombay High Court, they said.
The incident took place last night and the police officials today claimed to have cracked the case within 24 hours with the arrest of the two accused and recovery of the entire stolen booty.
The accused was identified as Jai Navrang (21), who used to work as gardener-cum-servant with the victim family, and his friend Kamlesh Jadhav (20)- both residents of Parel in central Mumbai.

According to police, Kapadia was found dead with a deep slash wound on his neck while his wife Leeli (74) was tied to a chair by the accused before escaping with cash and valuables last night, police said.
Yesterday, Leeli had gone to her daughter's house nearby and returned home late night, they said.

"As she entered the house, the two accused, who were already inside, pounced on her and tied her to a chair. Threatening her of dire consequences, they sought to know the place where the cash and other valuables were hidden," said Assistant Police Commissioner Shivaji Kolekar.

They then took the booty and fled away, he added.
"Jai is the son of one of the auto-rickshaw drivers, who were engaged by the elderly couple on a daily basis," Kolekar said.
He said that at about 9 PM yesterday, Jai and Kamlesh gained access to Kapadia's house and slashed the neck of Darais and rummaged the entire house for cash and valuables, but in vain.
Then they waited for Leeli to come. As she returned home a little after midnight, the two executed the plan.
The woman managed to untie herself and with the help of neighbours, she then approached Bandra police station, where an FIR was registered.

Reading the circumstances, the couple's servants and those who are in touch with them were grilled. It has emerged that Jai was spotted in Bandra yesterday. Jai was subsequently picked up from his residence, who spilled the beans and revealed his accomplice Kamlesh's role as well.
The duo was arrested this afternoon and the entire stolen booty was recovered, police said.