Withdrawals at ATM led cops to Goa perfumer’s ‘killer’ in Bangalore

MUMBAI: A former security guard who worked in 39-year-old perfumer Monika Ghurde’s building complex was arrested in Bangalore on Sunday for her murder. Ghurde’s

MUMBAI: A former security guard who worked in 39-year-old perfumer Monika Ghurde’s building complex was arrested in Bangalore on Sunday for her murder. Ghurde’s body was found, with her hands and legs tied, at her house in north Goa’s Sangolda, two days ago. Goa director general of police Muktesh Chander confirmed the arrest.

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The police said they have arrested Raj Kumar Singh, 22, a resident of Bhatinda, who worked as a watchman in Jasmine Building, Sapna Raj Valley, where Ghurde lived. There were complaints against him and he was removed from work around three months ago — Ghurde was one of the residents who complained.

He was arrested from Bangalore and the Goa police recovered Ghurde’s ATM card and her phone from him. Sources said after killing Ghurde, he withdrew cash from several ATMs in Goa, Mangalore and Bangalore. One more person was spotted in the CCTV footage, but the Goa police are still verifying his role.

Singh has been booked for murder and robbery.

The Goa police had formed five teams and were assisted by the Bangalore police. Police sources said they are yet to get a confirmation of rape because they were awaiting medical reports.

There is a strong suspicion that Ghurde may have been robbed, raped and killed on Thursday night in her three-bedroom apartment. A well-known name in social circles, she lived alone while her husband lived in a house nearby.

Ghurde’s body was discovered when her domestic help reported for duty on Friday. She rang the bell a few times and then called Ghurde’s brother.

Ghurde’s brother called her on her mobile phone but received no answer. Then he called one of the neighbours, who opened the house with a spare key that Ghurde had kept with him.

The neighbour spotted the body and alerted the police. A case has been registered at Saligao police station and Ghurde’s body was sent for an autopsy.

The globe-trotting perfumer was known to favour the scent of jasmine, which resulted in collaborative work with author William Dalrymple to trace the history of the flower.