Bhopal woman kills neighbour over Rs 500, flees with jewellery, gold dentures

A 45-year-old woman has been arrested in Bhopal for allegedly murdering her elderly neighbour over the latter's refusal to lend her Rs 500.The accused has been identified as Rekha alias Rita alias Reet. According to the police, she was in an intoxicated state when she smothered her neighbour, Kalri Devi, 60.She allegedly fled the scene with the victim's jewellery, gold dentures and cash in her possession.Police began investigating the case after receiving information about the elderly woman's death from Hamidia Hospital on November 6. A preliminary post-mortem report indicated that she had died of asphyxiation caused by an obstruction in her respiratory tract.Following this, police registered a murder and robbery case and launched a search for the murderer. During the investigation, the police purportedly found that Rekha had visited Kalri Devi's house on the day of the incident to borrow Rs 500.When the senior citizen refused to lend any money, the accused allegedly attacked her.Rekha allegedly removed Kalri Devi's gold ornaments and dentures from her body and fled with the valuables, along with an unspecified amount of cash.Given the seriousness of the crime, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed by the police to investigate the killing.A reward of Rs 10,000 was also announced for information leading to the culprit's arrest.Investigators questioned residents in the neighbourhood and collected technical evidence.During the probe, they zeroed in on Rekha, who eventually confessed to committing the murder, police said.They also seized the clothes and slippers she was allegedly wearing at the time of the crime, as well as her mobile phone, per the police.The accused was also found to have a criminal record, with cases related to the kidnapping and sexual assault of a girl registered against her.In a separate case, she was accused of indulging in verbal abuse, physical assault and issuing death threats in a public place.After being detained by the police in connection with the murder, she was remanded to two days of police custody.Further investigation is underway to establish other details of the crime.- Ends(Based on inputs from Dharmedra Sahu)