Chetna was cautious, say shocked neighbours

Chetna Ajmera's neighbours knew her as someone who was cautious to a fault and hence, have been in a state of shock after she was found murdered inside her home on Monday.

Chetna Ajmera's neighbours knew her as someone who was cautious to a fault and hence, have been in a state of shock after she was found murdered inside her home on Monday.

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"She was a very cautious woman," said Ashok Bhanushali, secretary of Vaishali society, where Ajmera lived. "Once, one of the drivers employed by the Ajmeras went to her home to give some sweets. Since she was alone at home, she did not open the main door. She asked the driver to keep the sweets outside, which she took in later on. This was the level of caution she followed."

Bhanushali rejected suggestions that there may have been any lapse in security at the building. "There are no CCTV cameras in any of the buildings in the locality. However, we have watchmen who do not allow even a postman to enter the building," he said. "The postman has to hand over all letters to the watchman who then goes and delivers it to people's homes. There is no laxity as far as security is concerned."

Ajmera's relatives, who had met her on Sunday at a family function, are also shocked at the incident. Ashwin Ajmera, Chetna's brother-in-law was among the many present at a prayer meet held in the building on Tuesday. "The entire family had met on Sunday at an engagement," Ashwin told HT. "Little did we know that we would hear such tragic news within 24 hours."

Surendra Juthani, an employee and family friend of the Ajmeras said Chetna was a down-to-earth and humble person. "The family is well-respected and it is a shock for the entire community that such a person has been killed in broad daylight," Juthani said.