A couple was arrested on Wednesday night in connection with the murder of a 90-year-old woman in Namakkal district.
The accused, K Ramajayan (42) and his wife Selvi (38), residents near Thiruchengode, were apprehended from Palamadai following a tip-off. Police investigations revealed their involvement in the killing of Rathinammal (90) from Kali Velampalayam in Thokkavadi Panchayat. Her body was discovered in her home on Tuesday morning, prompting Tiruchengode Rural police to register a case and launch a probe.
During the investigation, police learned that Ramajayan had visited Rathinammal on Saturday and paid Rs 500 as an advance to rent her house. He returned on Monday around 8:30 pm. Officials stated that Ramajayan was intoxicated during the visit, and when Rathinammal scolded him and refused to rent out the house, an argument broke out.
In a fit of rage, Ramajayan allegedly struck the elderly woman on the face with a grinding stone, killing her. He then dragged her body inside, wrapped it in a bedsheet, and concealed it under the bed. Before fleeing, he reportedly stole a gold chain and a pair of studs worn by the victim.
Ramajayan later informed his wife that he had obtained gold jewellery and asked her to accompany him to sell it. The couple, along with their son, travelled to Erode to pledge the ornaments, but a jeweller informed them the chain was not gold. They then moved to Palamadai, where they managed to sell the gold studs (weighing 4 grams) for Rs 26,000.
Police soon tracked and arrested them, bringing them back to Tiruchengode.
Ramajayan has been booked for murder and theft, while Selvi has been charged with attempting to sell stolen property. Both were produced before a criminal magistrate and remanded to custody at Salem Central Prison on Thursday morning.
