Panchkula murder case solved: Maid, husband and son arrested within 24 hours for killing retired Army Captain’s wife
PTC Web Desk: The Panchkula police have cracked the murder case of 71-year-old Neera Mehta, wife of retired Army Captain Manmohan Lal Mehta, within 24 hours of the complaint being lodged. Three members of a family, including the victim's domestic help, have been arrested in connection with the case.
The arrests were announced by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Aditi Singh during a press conference on Tuesday. The accused have been identified as Sunita Devi, who worked as a domestic helper at the Mehta residence, her husband Shankar, and their son Raja.
All three accused will be produced before the Panchkula District Court, where the police will seek their custodial remand for further investigation.
According to DCP Aditi Singh, the case began on August 3, when retired Captain Manmohan Lal Mehta approached the Sector-21 police outpost to report that his wife was missing.
He also informed the police that some gold jewellery was missing from the house and that his wife had suspected the domestic helper of theft.
Acting on the complaint, a police team reached the residence of the domestic helper and carried out a search. While nothing suspicious was initially found inside the house, cops discovered Neera Mehta's body hidden under a bedsheet on the rooftop during the search.
After the body was recovered, outpost in-charge Didar Singh informed senior officials. Police personnel, forensic experts and other investigating officers reached the scene and launched a scientific investigation.
Based on evidence collected during the investigation, the police detained Sunita Devi, her husband Shankar and their son Raja for questioning. Following preliminary interrogation, all three were formally arrested in the murder case.
During questioning, Sunita Devi denied stealing the jewellery and also denied murdering Neera Mehta. According to the police, she claimed that she had not committed any theft and alleged that the elderly woman died after slipping.
However, investigators said the case is being examined from every possible angle. The final sequence of events will be established based on the post-mortem report, forensic examination and other scientific evidence.
DCP Aditi Singh said Panchkula Police solved the case within 24 hours and arrested all three suspects. The investigation is continuing and further legal action will be taken after analysing the forensic findings and other evidence.
- With inputs from agencies
