A 31-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly murdering and robbing his 50-year old relative when she was alone at home in her Guru Ramdass Nagar Extension flat in east Delhi, police said today.
The accused, identified as Love Kumar Gandharva, was arrested yesterday with two anklets, two toe rings, a Samsung Galaxy Star phone and a blood-stained shirt being recovered from his possession, police said.
"The victim was found strangled to death at her house on October 22. A few household articles and jewellery was found missing. The deceased was identified as one Meena, a divorcee with a 13-year-old son.
"She would only open the door of her house for close acquaintances. A list of known persons was made and financially-weak relatives were checked," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), Ajay Kumar.
"Gandharva's name cropped up during the investigation as the main suspect after it came to light that he sold a mobile phone belonging to the deceased to one of his friends," said Kumar.
During interrogation, it was revealed that Kumar, on the day of the murder, had been upset over a scolding he had received from his cousin's wife. He went to Meena's residence to seek comfort.
However, once there he thought that since she had bought a new flat, there would be much cash in the house and made plans to rob her, police said.
He then went outside and returned with a wire with which he strangled Meena before robbing the house, Kumar said.
"Kumar was a heavy drinker who used to own a pet shop in Laxmi Nagar which his cousin took over after he failed to manage the business," Kumar added.
