Police arrested a 24-year-old laundry worker for murdering 69-year-old Komathi in her Ramanathapuram apartment on May 2. The accused strangled her and stole jewelry worth Rs 2 lakh before fleeing to Rameshwaram with his wife.
Coimbatore: Police arrested a laundry worker on May 5 for the murder and robbery of an elderly woman who lived alone in an apartment complex in Ramanathapuram area of Coimbatore city.
Komathi (69), wife of Thangaraj, was living alone in an apartment in Ramanathapuram. She was murdered on May 2, and her jewelry was stolen. Her daughter Radhika, who arrived from London on May 3, discovered the crime and was shocked by the incident.
Based on her complaint, Ramanathapuram police registered a case and launched an investigation. A special team was formed to apprehend the culprit. Footage from surveillance cameras installed in the area was thoroughly examined by investigators.
During the investigation, police identified the suspect as Ranjith Kumar (24) from Theni district, who worked as a laundry worker and had visited Komathi's house. Police subsequently began searching for him. Ranjith Kumar, who had gone on a trip to Rameshwaram with his wife, was arrested there by the police.
Police officials stated: Ranjith Kumar had been washing clothes for several residents of the apartment complex, including Komathi. He became aware that Komathi lived alone. When he went there last Saturday to collect clothes, finding no one outside, he entered the house and strangled Komathi to death. He then robbed her gold chain, earrings, bangles, and mobile phone.
Subsequently, he sold the jewelry for Rs 2 lakh and went on a trip to Rameshwaram with his wife. Police traced him there, arrested him, and during interrogation, he confessed that he had debts and murdered Komathi and stole her jewelry to repay them.
Police brought him to Coimbatore and produced him before the court on Tuesday, following which he was remanded to judicial custody. The swift action by Ramanathapuram police and the special investigation team led to the successful arrest of the accused within days of the crime.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of elderly people living alone in apartment complexes and highlights the need for enhanced security measures in residential areas.
Komathi (69), wife of Thangaraj, was living alone in an apartment in Ramanathapuram. She was murdered on May 2, and her jewelry was stolen. Her daughter Radhika, who arrived from London on May 3, discovered the crime and was shocked by the incident.
Based on her complaint, Ramanathapuram police registered a case and launched an investigation. A special team was formed to apprehend the culprit. Footage from surveillance cameras installed in the area was thoroughly examined by investigators.
During the investigation, police identified the suspect as Ranjith Kumar (24) from Theni district, who worked as a laundry worker and had visited Komathi's house. Police subsequently began searching for him. Ranjith Kumar, who had gone on a trip to Rameshwaram with his wife, was arrested there by the police.
Police officials stated: Ranjith Kumar had been washing clothes for several residents of the apartment complex, including Komathi. He became aware that Komathi lived alone. When he went there last Saturday to collect clothes, finding no one outside, he entered the house and strangled Komathi to death. He then robbed her gold chain, earrings, bangles, and mobile phone.
Subsequently, he sold the jewelry for Rs 2 lakh and went on a trip to Rameshwaram with his wife. Police traced him there, arrested him, and during interrogation, he confessed that he had debts and murdered Komathi and stole her jewelry to repay them.
Police brought him to Coimbatore and produced him before the court on Tuesday, following which he was remanded to judicial custody. The swift action by Ramanathapuram police and the special investigation team led to the successful arrest of the accused within days of the crime.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of elderly people living alone in apartment complexes and highlights the need for enhanced security measures in residential areas.