The Coimbatore District Police on Thursday solved a case of murder for gain reported in Pollachi on March 21, in which a 75-year-old woman murdered a 77-year-old woman neighbour and placed materials like liquor bottle and cigarette butts in the house to mislead investigators.
N. Saroja of Anbu Nagar in Pollachi was arrested for murdering R. Visalatchi, who had been living alone in her residence in the same locality.
Visalatchi was found dead in her residence by her son R. Namachivayam on March 21, with a total 8.5 sovereigns of her gold ornaments missing.
The Pollachi West police registered a case and launched an investigation into the murder. A special investigation team found cigarette butts, beedi pieces and an empty liquor bottle inside the house, which made investigators suspect the involvement of unknown male offenders.
The police analysed call detail records of 70 mobile numbers and visuals from over 50 surveillance cameras in and around the locality. Investigators found the presence of Saroja, who was known to the deceased for over 15 years, near the scene of crime unusual. Further technical analysis and field enquiry by the police revealed inconsistencies in her statements.
