In a breakthrough case, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police have arrested 21-year-old Kartik Wallabh Reddy for the murder of 69-year-old Vinod Kumari Duggal. Duggal was found dead in her home in Mota Singh Nagar on the afternoon of May 1. The police have confirmed that her death occurred during an attempted robbery.
The accused, Reddy, a native of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was studying at a private university in Phagwara. Following an extensive investigation involving CCTV footage and technical surveillance, the police arrested Reddy on May 4.
According to the investigation, Duggal’s husband, Bhimsen Duggal, left the house around 12:30 pm on May 1 to buy items for a religious function. When he returned at around 2 pm, he found the door latched from the inside and received no response to his repeated knocking. A neighbor’s son climbed over the wall to unlock the door, where they found Vinod Kumari lying unconscious in a room.
Initially suspected to be a heart attack, it was later confirmed that the elderly woman had been murdered during an attempted robbery. The gold bangles, three rings, and her mobile phone were missing, and the house appeared to have been ransacked.
DCP Manpreet Singh, who led the investigation, shared during a press conference that the accused admitted to committing the crime. He explained that Reddy had noticed Bhimsen Duggal leaving the house and saw an opportunity to rob the elderly woman. Reddy allegedly entered the house by jumping over the wall. During the robbery, he pressed Vinod Kumari’s mouth shut to prevent her from making noise, causing her to have difficulty breathing. She lost consciousness and later died. Reddy fled with the stolen items, including the jewelry and the mobile phone, which was later found turned off in the house.
Reddy initially claimed to be a student in Jalandhar but later changed his story, stating he was in the city for a job. The police are still verifying his full background.
The police managed to arrest Reddy through coordinated efforts by the CIA staff and swift investigation. An FIR has been filed under Section 103(1), BNS at Division No. 6 police station.
Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur assured the public that criminals will not find refuge in Jalandhar and reaffirmed the commitment of the police to ensure safety and solve crimes efficiently.
