Bangalore:
A 58-year-old home-alone woman was found strangulated to death in her rented house at the posh Income Tax Layout in Jyothinagar, Chandra Layout on Wednesday.
Police suspect the victim, Suvarnamma was murdered for gain. The murder came to light when her daughter-in-law Manjula returned home from work around 6.30 pm.
Manjula, a private firm employee, found the iron grill at the front of their first floor house in I Block latched from outside.
"Suvarnamma normally used to switch on the lights and latches the front door from inside," assistant commissioner of police (Kengeri Gate sub-division) MI Jaleel said.
Manjula said the cooking gas was leaking when she entered the house.
"There was a strong smell of cooking gas. I did not suspect anything. But I was shocked when I saw my mother-in-law lying on the ground," she said.
"It is a murder for gain, as four bangles, a gold chain, four rings and a pair of earrings were missing from the body. She was strangulated to death with the saree she was wearing," joint commissioner of police (crime) Alok Kumar said.
Kumar added that the murder might have taken place between 10.30 am and 11 am.
"It seems that the house was not secured properly, allowing the intruder to enter without any hindrance."
An investigating officer said the intruder might have been keeping a watch over the house.
"I feel it was a surprise attack. It looks like a professional job," he added.
Police said the victim was attacked while she was dyeing her hair. The floor and walls of the room were blackened with hair dye.
Suvarnamma's husband Shivaiah and son Prabhu were also away at work when she was murdered.
The Chandra Layout police charged a case under sections 397 (robbery using deadly weapons) and 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.
This was the second case of home-alone woman found murdered in a week.
On October 13, 61-year-old Kausalya was murdered in her Ejipura residence.
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