A 72-year-old woman was allegedly murdered in her residence by her two servants and their two relatives,who strangulated her with a towel. The Panchkula Police solved the case in about 15 hours with the arrest of four accused Suraj Pal,his wife Chintesh,Surajs cousin Gainda Mal and Surajs brother-in-law Ram Bahadur. Police said investigation revealed that theft was the motive behind the alleged murder. On Friday around 9.30 pm,Sushila Devi,the deceased,was at her residence along with her servant couple Sural and Chintesh who have been living in the house for the past one year. Around midnight,a call was made to the police by the servant couple,they said Sushila was found unconscious in the bathroom of her house. Police reached the spot and rushed Sushila to General Hospital in Sector 6. Sushila was declared dead on arrival by doctors. While interrogating the servants,police noticed scratch marks on the face of Suraj,raising suspicion of their involvement in the mysterious death. The couple disclosed that they,along with their two relatives,had conspired to murder Sushila in order to commit theft in the house. Suraj,along with Gainda Mal and Ram Bahadur dragged Sushila to the bathroom and choked her throat while Chintesh witnessed the action, said Rajbir Deswal,Commissioner of Police,Panchkula-Ambala range. The accused stole gold earrings and gold bangles which were worn by the deceased,and about Rs 15,000 cash,silver coins and other jewellery from the house. We have partially recovered the stolen material, Deswal said. The accused also tried to break open a cupboard but didnt complete the enrand fearing noise would raise suspicion,police said. Police said,the two relatives of the couple servant frequently visited the house of the deceased. The couple had been conspiring the murder for the past four to five days, Deswal added. One of Sushilas son is settled in Canada while the other had gone to Dubai for a vacation.A case of murder,criminal conspiracy and of all persons jointly concerned in tresspassing the house has been registered with the Panchkula police. The four will be presented in court on Sunday.
