Mumbai:
Two days after the bodies of Flora Rodricks, 44, and Shilpa Gandhi, 38, were recovered from Rodricks' flat in Bhayandar, officials from the local police station arrested thirty-seven-year-old Abbas Nasir Hussain Sayyed on Wednesday for his involvement in the crime.
Officials suspect that Sayyed not only had an affair with both the women, but also had an eye on their jewellery and money. They suspect that Sayyed killed both the women on the intervening night of September 30 and October 1. Officials said the involvement of more people in the crime cannot be ruled out.
"Sayyed left the spot with jewellery, cash and mobile phones of the deceased. Investigations revealed that he had illicit relationships with both the women, but we are yet to ascertain it," said Ravindra Sengaonkar, District Superintendent of Police (Thane Rural). "The accused would regularly visit Rodricks' residence. He was after the gold and money that the victims possessed. On the night of the murders, the victim had called him home. He killed them with a kitchen knife and fled the spot with the valuables. He even sold Gandhi's phone for Rs 3,000."
Officials said Sayyed fled the crime scene with 370 grams of gold he snatched from the bodies and Rs 8,300 that belonged to Rodricks.
After killing Rodricks and Gandhi, Sayyed returned to his residence on Mira Road on Tuesday. He then gave his blood soaked clothes for cleaning to his regular laundry boy. Alarmed by bloodstains on Sayyed's clothes, the boy informed his boss, who alerted the police officials.
"As soon as the laundry man alerted us, we reached his (Sayyed's) residence to arrest him, but he had already escaped. We initiated a combing operation in the area and finally nabbed him. Sayyed confessed to his crime during interrogation," a police official said.
During interrogation, Sayyed said he first stabbed Rodricks with a blunt knife and then attacked Gandhi. He has been remanded in police custody till October 9. Sayyed had injury marks on his hands and face when the police officials arrested him yesterday morning.
Chequered past
Officials said Sayyed had come in contact with the victims some six months ago, at a time when he was jobless. He would take money from Rodricks and give it on interest. On several occasions he had failed to repay Rodricks.
Police officials said Rodricks was staying alone, as her husband was in London and one of their children in Panchgani and the other at their aunt's house in Vasai.
Officials said that Gandhi would stay at Rodricks residence every time she fought with her husband and that fights between the couple occurred on a regular basis. Sayyed would often stay back with the women.
Officials said Sayyed was fed up of taking money from Rodricks on a daily basis and decided to make easy money by making away with her jewellery and cash. A history-sheeter, Sayyed has several cases, including property fraud, registered against him.