Till late on Tuesday evening, police hadn't made any arrests in connection with the murder of Ghatkopar resident Chetna Ajmera. However, they suspect the involvement of three persons in the murder, after a neighbour reported seeing three pairs of slippers outside the Ajmera residence on Monday evening.
Sanjay Shintre, DCP (Zone 7), claimed the police had clues about the suspects. "We have received some information about the accused and our teams are on their trail," he said. Shintre, however, refused to divulge any further detail.
Chetna Ajmera, the 51-year-old wife of real estate developer Jayant Ajmera was found with her throat slit at her Pant Nagar residence on Monday. Jewellery worth Rs1.4 crore was missing from the home, and investigators suspect that robbery may have been the motive behind the murder.
Investigators got a crucial lead from the statement given by one of Chetna's friends who used to accompany her on evening walks. "Like any other day, on Monday, at 6pm, Chetna's friend waited for her below their building," said an officer from Pant Nagar police station. "When Chetna did not turn up, the friend went to her residence and rang the doorbell. However, no one answered. Her friend saw three pairs of slippers at the door, one of which was almost worn out," the officer said. Assuming someone was inside the house, she rang the bell a few times. Yet, no one answered.
Earlier in the day, two workmen had visited the house to repair a grill. The domestic help employed by the Ajmeras came in sometime between 2pm and 3pm. "By evening, the domestic help and the two workmen had left. So, apart from Chetna, there was no record of anyone being present in the house," the officer said. "We suspect that when her friend was ringing the bell, the accused, whose slippers were found outside, were inside the house." Senior inspector of Pant Nagar police station Suresh Nirmal confirmed the lead. "We suspect the slippers belong to the accused," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier in the day, two workmen had visited the house to repair a grill. The domestic help employed by the Ajmeras came in sometime between 2pm and 3pm. "By evening, the domestic help and the two workmen had left. So, apart from Chetna, there was no record of anyone being present in the house," the officer said. "We suspect that when her friend was ringing the bell, the accused, whose slippers were found outside, were inside the house." Senior inspector of Pant Nagar police station Suresh Nirmal confirmed the lead. "We suspect the slippers belong to the accused," he said.
{{/usCountry}}There were no signs of forced entry into the house, and police suspect the killers may have been known to Chetna. The killers also seem to be familiar with the victim's routine, police said.
Police are questioning the house help and her husband, the two workmen, and the two watchmen - one of whom was hired recently. Also under the scanner are cooks who had worked at the Ajmera residence in the past.
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