Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh police have made a breakthrough in the murder of an elderly couple from Kerala, who was found dead at their residence in Bhopal four days ago, by detaining the prime suspect.
Raju Jhakad, 34, a native of Gwalior, who had worked as their domestic help until recently, was arrested on Saturday. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime, the police said. His wife Aarthi has also been taken into custody.
Gopalakrishnan Nair, 74, a retired Air Force officer, and wife, Gomathi, hailing from Manarkkad in Palakkad district, were found dead at their residence under Awadhpuri police station limits in Bhopal in the late hours of Thursday with their throats slit.
According to the police, Raju and Aarthi had worked at the victims’ house for several years. It was Gopalakrishnan who took the initiative for their marriage. Both of them lived with the elderly couple until four months ago, when they were fired from job following a financial dispute. The murder was an act of revenge, the police said.
After committing the crime, Raju had fled to his native place, but was coerced to return to Bhopal by some of Gopalakrishnan’s relatives.
As per Raju’s confessional statement, he arrived at the victims’ residence around 10 pm on Thursday. After serving him dinner, Gopalakrishnan queried him about the Rs 1.5 lakh which Raju had borrowed from him a few months ago. It ensued into a heated exchange of words and a scuffle following which Raju pulled out a machete and hacked in the neck of the elderly man.
Within seconds, he collapsed and died. Gomathi, who rushed to the terrace upon hearing the noise, was also hacked to death. Raju took away the ornaments worn by her before he jumped off the terrace and fled the scene.
The probe was centred on Raju after the victims’ family suspected his involvement in the murder. The weapon was found abandoned in the backyard of the house.
The police searched his house his house and recovered eight gold bangles and three chains. They suspect that he was behind the robbery at the house two years ago.
The couple’s cremation was held in Bhopal on Saturday.
Read: Latest Kerala News