Mumbai cops crack Malad murder case

In one of the most brutal cases in recent times, the Crime Branch has detained two minors for allegedly murdering a senior citizen in Malad. One of the accused is the grandson of the deceased, the police claimed.

The duo wanted to lead a lavish lifestyle and hence decided to bump off the lady and rob the house. However, with both the suspects being minors, the police will have a tough time in prosecuting them.

According to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy, Sarla Patel, a resident of Vishal Complex at SV Road in Malad, was killed in her flat no. 202 on September 16 between 3pm and 6pm. “On that day, Sarla’s husband Ramanlal Patel had gone to Kokilaben Ambani Hospital for some medical issues with son Pankaj and was later joined by Pankaj’s wife Bhavna there.

When returned, they rang door bell, but there was no response from inside. They then broke open the door only to find Sarla lying in a pool of blood,” said Roy.

The Crime Branch team comprising senior inspector Raghunath Dalvi, inspectors Mahesh Tawre, Sanjeev Gawde, Sanjeev Bhole and Chimaji Aadhav are investigating the case. “There were no signs of forcible break-in and it was sure that only a known person could have committed the crime. We were sure that someone who knew that Sarla would be alone at the house at that time would have committed the offence,” Roy said.

The police then detained Sarla’s grandson and on sustained questioning he broke down and admitted that he had committed the crime along with his friend. “The duo said they wanted money to lead a lavish lifestyle. Hence they committed the offence. The grandson knew that Sarla had some jewellery and cash at home and also knew where it was kept,” said additional commissioner Deven Bharti. He added that the grandson knew that on September 16 Sarla would be alone at home.

Explaining the sequence of events leading to the murder, Roy said, “On the fateful day, the accused left the house for college in the afternoon. Instead, he went to his friend’s house. At around 3.30pm, the grandson called up the building watchman and his mother to confirm whether the family has left for hospital. Then the duo went to a shop, bought surgical gloves and nylon rope. When they reached home, Sarla opened the door and let them in. After offering them water, she went to the bedroom,” Roy said.

While Sarla was writing Gayatri mantra on a notepad with a red pen, one of the two caught her and the other attempted to strangulate her using the rope, he said.

“When Sarla fell unconscious, the duo looted the house. While leaving, the duo checked the pulse of Sarla and found her alive. Having feared that she could spill the beans, they brought a knife from the kitchen and slit her throat,” said Roy.

The duo then left the place. “The friend had sold 75gm of gold for Rs1.45 lakh and it was decided that they would equally distribute the money. The boy then returned home at the usual time as if he had actually gone to the college,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Nisar Tamboli.

With both being minors, asked whether they would get away easily from the case, Roy said: “They will be dealt as per the Juvenile Justice Act, as both of them are 17 years old. We have also recovered 100% property, including cash Rs1.45 lakh, $3,178, 180 British Pounds, 90 Euros, gold and silver jewellery worth Rs2.10 lakh.”

Advocate Vijay Hiremath said, “A trial court first has to verify and refer the case to a medical board which will ascertain whether he is a juvenile or not. If proven, then the case will be transferred to the Juvenile Justice Board. The board after conducting the trial if find the juvenile guilty of the offence, he might be sent to ‘safe custody’ for a maximum period of three years.”

Meanwhile, the family members Sarla Patel refused to speak to the media on Monday. The family memebrs also didn’t talk to their neighbours.

“We are still in a state of shock as to how a boy could kill his own grandmother. It is hard for us to believe that such a studious boy, who had made everyone proud by securing 84% marks in his 10th exam could get into such heinous crime,” said a neighbour, on condition of anonymity.