An official said that police detained a guy on Wednesday in connection with the death of a 70-year-old lady, whose lips was reportedly taped and wrists were bound during a robbery at her south Mumbai home by the accused and his two accomplices.
Three days after the incident, which took place on the third floor of Yoosuf Manzil on Kashinath Street in the Tardeo district, the 37-year-old accused was detained in the neighbourhood of Goregaon, he said.
According to the police, the accused, Sumit Tatwal, worked at the fake jewelry store operated by the husband of the dead widow.
They said that Tatwal and the other thieves tied up the old lady, Surekha Agarwal, and gagged her with a piece of tape before she died of suspected asphyxia.
“Around 6.30 am on Sunday, complainant Madan Agarwal (75), opened the door for a morning walk, when the accused trio – two of them wearing masks and another one sporting a cap – pushed him inside the house and locked the door,” he said.
His mouth was muffled and his hands and legs were taped together. The thieves then proceeded to Agarwal’s wife’s bedroom and taped her mouth in addition to tying her wrists and legs. The burglars then fled with the items, according to the police.
Agarwal was able to unlock the door after the burglars had fled and called for assistance. Someone from the housing society ran to aid after hearing his shouts. They said that as soon as more locals joined in, the police were notified.
The wife of Agarwal was brought to the Nair hospital, where she passed away before being admitted.
According to the official, the accused was detained for violating several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sections 302 (murder), 394 (voluntarily causing harm during robbery), 397 (robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous harm), 452 (house trespass after preparation for harm), 506 (criminal intimidation), 323 (voluntarily causing harm), and 34 (common intention), among others.