'My brother is not involved in the murder'

Even as the Patel family struggled to cope with the gruesome murder - the victim's throat was slashed - they now have to live with the fact that a family member, her teenaged grandson, was involved in her killing.

The families of the two youngsters accused of killing 67-year-old Sarla Patel are in a state of shock.

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Even as the Patel family struggled to cope with the gruesome murder - the victim's throat was slashed - they now have to live with the fact that a family member, her teenaged grandson, was involved in her killing.

Pankaj Patel, 17-year-old Jigar's (name changed as he is a minor) father, refused to speak.

The elder sister of Jigar's accomplice, Ankit (name changed as he is a minor), said the family can't believe he is involved.

"My brother and Jigar are childhood friends. Jigar had been coming to our house frequently last week, but we never suspected anything," she said.

According to her, Ankit had gone for an exam on the day of the murder.

"The police have not told us how Ankit is involved in the crime. He is being made a party to the crime as he is Jigar's friend," she said.

A neighbour from the building - Vishal Complex in Malad west - said Jigar was an intelligent boy who had scored 84% in SSC and was planning to become an engineer.