Special Correspondent - Daijiworld Media Network, Mandya

Mandya, Aug 29: In a sensational filmy-style case, 53-year-old woman, formerly a flower vendor, later money lender was killed by a married woman Sheela and her lover Arun in Mandya recently. Both accused are in police custody now for further interrogations.

Background of the case:

Thimmamma was a flower vendor in a local market. About five years back she stopped doing flower business and started lending money on interest to neighbours and others whom she knew. Accused Sheela was residing in the same area. Another lady named Meena who was residing nearby had taken loan from Thimmamma, but could not return it on time. But she kept on paying interest. Thimmamma was reminding Meena to pay the money back. Sheela was aware of this matter as she knew Thimmamma very well.

Thimmamma was wearing heavy jewellery everyday which Sheela was watching. She planned to rob her with the help from her lover Arun, who is a car driver. Though Sheela was married for couple of years, she had illicit relationship with Arun, who was also married.

Timmamma

Arun and Sheela

Sheela's master plan:

On that fateful day Sheela called Thimmamma from a telephone booth using coin. She changed her voice and pretended as Meena. "Your money is ready with me. Please come and collect from here" said Sheela and asked Thimmamma to come to a particular place. Believing this, Thimmamma reached the spot, but Sheela was present there instead of Meena. Since both knew each other, they spoke in general terms. By then Arun came with his car and offered lift to both of them to their place.

According the master plan, Arun took Thimmamma to various other places, and threatened her to give her gold to them. Resisting the threat, Thimmamma tried to jump from the car but both Arun and Sheela managed to tighten her neck and eventually Thimmamma became breathless. They robbed 60 gram gold from her neck and took the body of Thimmamma in the same car to a secluded place and tried to burn the body using petrol. Once body was consigned to flame, both ran away from the scene. Sheela went to her husband's place in Bengaluru and Arun went to work as usual.

On Aug 26, after receiving the complaint from Timmamma's relatives, police acted on the case. They found some significant clues and based on that both accused were arrested by the police.

Admitting to the crime, Sheela said that, she had borrowed money from many people because of her husband. She says since there were no other way to repay money she planned with Arun to murder Thimamma. Arun too was in debts, it is said.

Quick action from Mandya police have been widely appreciated by the locals.