Kolkata, 23 January (H.S.) :

The Asansol–Durgapur Police Commissionerate on Friday claimed to have cracked a sensational murder case involving an elderly woman in the Barabani Assembly constituency. The disclosure was made by DC (Central) Dhruv Das during a press conference held at the DC Central office in the police lines.

According to the police, the woman, identified as Mau Rai, was found unconscious at her residence in the Lalganj area under Barabani. Family members rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. At the hospital, the deceased’s son noticed injury marks on her neck and found that the jewellery she usually wore was missing. Police were informed immediately, and the body was sent to Asansol District Hospital for post-mortem examination.

During the investigation, it emerged that on January 3, Mau Rai had lodged a complaint at Asansol North Police Station against her younger daughter-in-law, Riya Rai, in connection with a theft case. Subsequently, the victim’s brother filed an FIR alleging murder.

Police further revealed that Riya Rai had a close associate, Samir Alam, a resident of Daltonganj in Jharkhand. Acting on suspicion, the police launched a search operation and found that Samir Alam was staying at a hotel in Asansol. Jewellery belonging to the deceased was recovered from his hotel room.

DC Dhruv Das stated that Samir Alam was arrested from Bhagat Singh More in Asansol on Thursday evening. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to killing Mau Rai and admitted that Riya Rai was involved in the crime. Following this, Riya Rai was arrested on Friday.

Both accused were produced before the Asansol court, and the police will seek their remand for further interrogation. The investigation is currently at a preliminary stage and is ongoing.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh