Ranjhi police have solved a blind murder mystery of a 75-year-old woman and arrested a 45-year-old man who killed her during a theft and threw her into a well to hide the crime. The accused has been identified as Ramgopal Mishra alias Gopal (45), son of Ramhet Mishra, a resident of Hanuman Nagar near Anna Baba in Ranjhi. The case came to light on May 27 after body of Pushpa Sharma (75), was found floating in a well located in the courtyard of her house at Bada Pathar, Hanuman Nagar. Bloodstains and drag marks were found inside the house, indicating foul play. Additional SP (Crime), Jitendra Singh, while addressing press conference, on Friday, informed that acting on the directions of Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay, a special team comprising Ranjhi Police and Crime Branch personnel was formed to investigate the case.

 

During inquiries, police learned that the accused had been seen near the victim’s house on the night of the incident. During interrogation, Ramgopal confessed that he was acquainted with the victim’s family and knew she was alone at home as her son was away in his native village. He allegedly entered the house with the intention of theft. When Pushpa Sharma recognised him and tried to raise an alarm, he assaulted her with a water pot, snatched her gold mangalsutra and silver anklets and dragged her to the courtyard before throwing her into the well. Police recovered the stolen jewellery, fake ornaments allegedly purchased by the accused to mislead investigators, and the clothes worn during the crime. The accused was subsequently arrested and produced before the court. The blind murder mystery was solved with active working of joint team of Ranjhi Police and Crime Branch under the leadership of SHO, Umesh Golhani.