Jangpura murder: Domestic help key accused, hunt on

Jagat Bahadur (20), who is a main suspect in the murder of a senior citizen in Jangpura on Monday, had tied the dog in a separate room before committing crime so that he doesn’t bark and alert neighbours.

Jagat Bahadur (20), who is a main suspect in the murder of a senior citizen in Jangpura on Monday, had tied the dog in a separate room before committing crime so that he doesn’t bark and alert neighbours.

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Jagat, who was working as domestic help, was hired nearly a month ago. He was familiar with the dog but didn’t take the risk of committing murder and robbery in front of him. “When police team reached the spot, they found dog in the bedroom. The neighbours didn’t hear him barking. Jagat made sure that dog, whose name is Kado, didn’t make any noise,” a source close to the family said.

On Monday, Vimal Shah (82), was smothered to death at her residence. Her son and daughter-in-law had gone to Singapore two weeks before the incident. “Shah’s son Bharat returned on Monday night after hearing the news along with his wife and two sons. They are still calculating the robbed amount,” a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.

During the course of investigation, police have managed to get a photograph of the accused. “Since he was not verified, we were finding it difficult to identify him. We traced the man through whom he was hired and got his photograph. Two men have been detained from Mukherjee Nagar and we have also intimated the Nepal police as Jagat hails from there,” the officer added.

Police have also declared R25,000 reward to anyone who gives information about Jagat.

Shah’s body was found in the bathroom with her hands and face tied. Police have also recovered a pillow in the bathroom which suggests she was smothered to death.

Shah family is living at the second floor of K-7 Jangpura extension from past 22 years. “Bharat called up his neighbour on Monday morning when Vimal didn’t pick her call. The neighbours went upstairs but couldn’t open the door. Another domestic help of the house came and she opened the door. They found her lying in the bathroom,” said Mohit Shah, Bharat’s cousin.

A case of robbery and murder has been registered.