Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Apr 22: The police, who have registered a case of murder relating to the recovery of the lifeless body of a 60-year-old Lalitha in a well-known lodge in the town, continue to scout for the murder suspects. The woman's mortal remains were found in the lodge on the night of April 25, and Azhar Afzal Khan alias Ajai Babu and daughter of the woman, Shobha alias Vaishnavi, who are thought to be involved with the lady's death have remained untraceable.
The case acquired a new dimension after it was found that the daughter of the woman, who was living in Mumbai, who used to stay with the Mumbai-based youth who went missing, disappeared from her Mumbai residence on the same day with her two daughters. The efforts made by the local police in association with their Mumbai counterparts have proved to be futile so far.
On Monday, the police had left for Gujarat, after they got information that the accused had travelled towards that state. It is said that both Azhar and Shobha had brought the children to their home in Mumbai, and left them there. They told the children that they were leaving for the court, sources said. The local police, who believe that the couple had left for Gujarat after leaving the children in Mumbai, are waiting at Gujarat for them.
It is learnt that the postmortem report did not speak about smothering of the lady, although a towel was found to have been wrapped around her neck. Her throat however bore marks which appeared like having been left by the pressing of thumbs. Fingerprints found on the body matched with that of Azhar Afzal Khan, it is being claimed.
Some reports stated that Azhar, who was like the family friend of the deceased lady, had illicit relationship with Shobha. The man would have expressed his desire to marry her daughter, which she would have rejected, after which the old lady, who is a native of Gangolli, would have been killed, the police suspect. The fact that both Azhar and Shobha went missing immediately after the murder has given credence to this theory. Kundapur police are confident of arresting the accused within a couple of days, after which clear picture is likely to emerge.