Senior citizen held for killing her friend

The police said Latika Kamble (55),a resident of Kalpana Vihar Society in Vikhroli (East),was found dead in her flat by her nephew Sandeep,who returned from work at 6.15 pm on September 14. Her head had been bludgeoned and the jewellery she was wearing was missing. “The Anti-Robbery Squad began parallel investigations and we arrested Laxmibai Dangle (61),” said Roy.

At 1.30 pm on the day of the murder,Dangle went to the victim’s flat. Another elderly neighbour came to the flat asking Kamble for help in switching on the gas at his flat as his daughter-in-law was away. “The accused said she would help the neighbour and went to his flat. After helping him,Dangle went back to her friend’s flat. After 15 minutes,Dangle left the victim’s residence but returned around 2.30 pm,” said Roy.

On seeing Dangle return,the victim was surprised but did not suspect anything. Dangle told her she had come to watch TV,knowing Kamble slept in the afternoon. After some time Kamble told her to go home,but she said she would leave in some time.

“Around 3 pm,assured her friend was asleep,Dangle took a stone and smashed Kamble’s head twice. She then looked for the keys to the cupboard,thinking gold and cash would have been kept there as Kamble’s son Manoj (31) and daughter Manisha (28) were getting married soon. When she could not find the keys,she stole the necklace and earrings worn by the victim and a mobile phone and left,” said Roy.

“We knew that the killer was known to the deceased as there were no signs of forced entry. When we began questioning people,the accused admitted herself into a hospital,which made us suspicious. While the neighbour who had gone to the deceased’s flat said the accused had helped him turn on the gas,Dangle said Kamble had helped him,” added Roy.