Bhubaneswar: Police have arrested another person for her alleged involvement in the murder of a 76-year-old woman here, an officer said Friday.
The accused, identified as Sabita Sethi, was arrested in Puri, and police recovered gold ornaments and other valuables stolen from the victim’s house from her possession, the officer said.
The deceased, identified as Kunjalata Nanda, widow of a forest officer, was found murdered in her house on the night of November 3, police said.
According to the police, the deceased’s two sons live in the US and Mumbai, while her two married daughters reside at different locations in Bhubaneswar. The woman was living alone while Balbhadra Maharana (40) was her caretaker.
While examining CCTV footage, police found that the caretaker fled on a scooter with jewellery and other valuables November 3. The accused caretaker was arrested in Gujarat two days ago, the police said.
During interrogation of Maharana, who is on a five-day transit remand, police learned that the accused had left the looted gold ornaments, silver, and other valuables at Sethi’s house in the Bramhagiri area of Puri district, Bhubaneswar DCP Saravana Vivek M told reporters.
“Maharana and Sabita closely know each other. They were earlier staying in the same neighbourhood. So, after committing the crime, Maharana kept the valuables in Sabita’s custody,” the DCP said.
The police have recovered two gold bangles, two chains, two finger rings, a pair of earrings, and silver ornaments weighing 1 kg. Besides, the scooter was also seized, the DCP said.
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