A 58-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 79-year-old woman and the theft of her gold ornaments from her house in broad daylight at Karalam in Thrissur district.
The arrested man has been identified as Muhammad Rafi, 58, a native of Thriprayar and a neighbour of the victim, Savithri, near the local veterinary hospital. Rafi was reportedly staying in a rented house belonging to Savithri’s son.
Rafi was reportedly staying in a rented house belonging to Savithri’s son, near the local veterinary hospital. Investigators suspect that he murdered her after she refused to hand them over. On the day of the incident, Rafi allegedly noticed Savithri’s son Sumesh and his wife Greeshma taking her husband, Vijayan, to the hospital. The gold bangles, chain, and a ring she had been wearing were missing.
The arrested man has been identified as Muhammad Rafi, 58, a native of Thriprayar and a neighbour of the victim, Savithri. Around 128 grams of gold were reportedly stolen, valued at around Rs 1.5 crore depending on purity. A 25-member special investigation team was formed under the leadership of Thrissur Rural District Police Chief Mohammed Nadeem.
Rafi was facing financial liabilities and had previously asked Savithri to lend him her gold ornaments, according to the police. Seizing the opportunity, he entered the house with the intention of stealing the ornaments, police said. The accused subsequently took chilli powder from the kitchen and scattered it near the body before stealing the gold ornaments and fleeing the scene, according to the police investigation.
