Daijiworld Media Network – Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Apr 25: A 55-year-old woman has been arrested in Ahmedabad for allegedly drugging an elderly couple during a robbery that led to the death of an 81-year-old man, police said.

The accused, identified as Lataben alias Gulab Chauhan, was traced to the Shahpur area following a coordinated investigation.

According to police, Lataben allegedly gained entry into the home of Abdulbhai Ismailbhai Sipai and his wife in Dariyapur by offering assistance with household chores and cooking.
Investigators said she allegedly served the couple lassi laced with a sedative, after which both fell unconscious.

Police said she then looted valuables from the house and fled.

Abdulbhai later suffered severe complications allegedly due to the sedative and died during treatment, while his wife survived after medical intervention.

Following the death, Crime Branch officials added homicide charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to the case.

Police described the accused as a habitual offender with a criminal record dating back to 2019 involving theft, house-breaking and gambling-related offences across multiple police jurisdictions in Ahmedabad.

Officials said her modus operandi of targeting vulnerable elderly persons living in isolation helped investigators link her to the crime.

“The accused specifically identified senior citizens living alone and gained their trust under the pretext of offering help,” an official said.

Lataben has been handed over to Dariyapur police for further interrogation and judicial proceedings.