Two elderly women murdered during robbery; one arrested

A gas-stove mechanic has been arrested in connection with the murder of two elderly women during a robbery at their house here, police said on Wednesday.

Swagata Ganguly (60), wife of Devashish Ganguly, a former NTPC official, and his mother Beena Pani (84) were brutally murdered on Monday in Kalyan Bagh area of Rajkishore Nagar by a sharp weapon and their throats were found slit.

The robber had decamped with cash and valuables from the house.

The accused identified as Bhisma Narayan Jha (32), a native of Bhagalpur in Bihar, was arrested from Hemu Nagar late last evening. He has accepted his involvement in the crime, Bilaspur Superintendent of Police, Ratanlal Dangi told PTI.

The weapon used in the crime besides the looted amount and jewellery were also recovered, the SP added.

According to the SP, Jha, who has been staying in Hemu Nagar area since last three years, owns a cosmetic shop and also works as a gas-stove mechanic. On Monday evening, he had gone to Rajkishore area for repairing works when he was called up by the victim Swagata.

Finding only two women in the house, Jha murdered both with the intention of loot, the SP added.

On interrogation the accused confessed of having to pay a huge debt for which he committed the robbery, the SP said.

After escaping, the accused first disposed of the knife used in the crime in Seepat locality and then mortgaged the gold ornaments and borrowed loan from Muthoot Finace Company in Link Road area.