Jalandhar BTech student held for robbing, killing 69-year-old woman, wanted to repay loan

The woman, identified as Vinod Kumari Duggal, 69, was found dead, and her jewellery — two gold bangles and two rings — was missing. The amount of stolen cash was yet to be verified.

According to police sources, Reddy, originally from Visakhapatnam, was putting up at Phagwara and was randomly moving in Jalandhar’s locality.

He found that an elderly woman was cleaning the front portion of her house and was wearing gold ornaments. Then he again visited the house next day and planned the crime.

DCP Manpreet Singh stated that during the initial interrogation, Reddy confessed to the crime. Initially, the family thought that it was a natural death as there was no injury mark. But when they found the ornaments were missing, they informed the police on Thursday late evening.

The woman had died of suffocation as the accused might have pressed her throat, said sources.

Police sources said that the accused had taken a study loan of Rs 1 lakh, which he was unable to repay.

In a state of financial desperation, he hatched a plan to rob the elderly woman’s house, believing it would help him settle his debt.

Reddy’s family background further reveals a picture of financial strain — his father had passed away, and his mother and sister sustain the household with the income from agriculture.

Despite their efforts, Reddy’s inability to pay off his educational loan led him to to commit the crime, said sources.

After the crime was committed, Reddy fled the scene with the jewellery. However, the police investigation led to his arrest from Phagwara.

During the interrogation, Reddy admitted to his involvement in the murder and theft, confirming that he intended to use the stolen money to pay off his outstanding loan.

The DCP said that they would produce the accused in court soon to take his remand for further questioning. The DCP urged people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities