City police have arrested 42-year-old electrician K Purandar and his friend V Shivappa, 36, both from Bidar, on charges of murdering homemaker P Latha at her residence in Cottonpet. Both have been remanded to four days of police custody.
Latha, 45, was found dead inside her home on Durga Road on May 26. Investigations revealed that Rs 2 lakh in cash and gold ornaments weighing around 100 grams, including a gold chain on Latha, were missing. Police concluded the murder was motivated by theft and committed by known individuals.
The intact main door, empty plates in the kitchen, and missing valuables pointed towards a murder for gain, police said. Purandar, a close relative of Latha, reportedly faced financial losses in a rice-pulling business and online gambling. Believing there was cash and gold at Latha’s house, he conspired with Shivappa to commit the crime.
The duo arrived in the city on the morning of May 26 and entered Latha’s house after her husband, Prakash, left. After having breakfast provided by Latha, they smothered her to death and fled with the stolen valuables.
Police officials confirmed plans to take the suspects back to Bidar to recover the missing items and further the investigation.
