Senior citizen found dead, murder suspected

The wife of senior Marathi theatre personality Dilip Kolhatkar was found dead in half-burnt condition at the couple's house here last evening, police said.
A case of murder has been registered against unidentified persons.
Half-burnt body of Dipali Kolhatkar (65) was found in the couple's flat in Erandwane area last evening.
Autopsy revealed that she had been throttled and there were internal head injuries.
"Only three people live in the house; Dilip Kolhatkar, the deceased and her 85-year-old mother," said senior inspector Rekha Salunkhe of Alankar police station.
"On Thursday, her mother saw smoke coming from the kitchen. When Dipali didn't respond to her calls, her mother called neighbours for help as Dilip Kolhatkar is bed-ridden for the last three years," the officer said.

Dipali was declared brought dead at the government-run Sassoon Hospital.

"Initially we thought it was a case of accidental death. But the post-mortem report today revealed that she had an internal head injury and had been throttled," Salunkhe said.
Police registered a case of murder against unidentified persons, she added.
The officer ruled out the robbery angle, as nothing was missing from the house.
An attendant hired from nursing bureau who looks after Dilip Kolhatkar had left around 7.30 pm when his duty hours ended, she said.
The housing society where the family lives has no CCTV cameras or security guards, she added.

Further probe is on.