Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (RJP)
Beltangady, Jan 15: Police have reportedly arrested the main accused in the robbery and murder of an elderly couple at Kakkinje here. Though sources have confirmed the arrest, the identity of the accused has not been divulged yet.
Varghese and Eliyamma
Varghese (94) and his wife Eliyamma (85), residents near a petrol pump at Kakkinje, were found dead at their residence on Monday January 11. The murder reportedly took place on the night of Sunday January 10.
The police, who proceeded based on available clues, took a person of Gadag origin for interrogation. His identity is not yet known, but sources said that he has been a construction worker at a dam site near Kakkinje for some time now. He observed that the old couple stayed by themselves and planned the murder. On the night of the murder, he came as a stranger to the house of Varghese and asked for direction to some place. Varghese then came out of the house to show the directions, and it is then that the accused allegeldy strangled and beat up Varghese to death, sources said.
After murdering Varghese, the accused went inside the house and killed Eliyamma. The accused has admitted to the crime during the interrogation, said sources in the police.
Sources also revealed that the accused was arrested in Gadag, and that he has hidden the stolen gold in Hubballi. He will be brought to Beltangady soon after the recovery of the gold, it is learnt.
The accused has a criminal background with many theft cases against him, it is said. Further investigation is being carried out by Bantwal assistant superintendent Rahul Kumar under the supervision of district police superintendent S D Sharanappa.