Daijiworld Media Network - Navi Mumbai

Navi Mumbai, May 23: Turbhe police have arrested a 38-year-old man for allegedly murdering a 66-year-old woman and disposing of her body in a gunny bag about 300 metres from her residence.

The accused, identified as Mobin Noor Mohammad Qureshi, works with a housekeeping agency and lived in the same neighbourhood as the victim, Azrunnisa Abdul Waheed Khan, according to police.

Investigators said Qureshi was under financial distress, reportedly burdened with debts of around Rs 7 lakh. He allegedly targeted the victim after noticing her wearing gold ornaments.

As per police, the incident took place on May 18 when the woman was returning home after buying groceries. Qureshi allegedly met her on the way and lured her to his house under the pretext of offering tea.

Once inside, he allegedly attempted to rob her jewellery. When she raised an alarm, he strangled her using her dupatta. He then reportedly placed the body in a gunny sack and hid it under a bed inside his home.

Later in the early hours, when his family was asleep, he allegedly disposed of the body near a streetlight close to the locality.

Senior Inspector Abasaheb Patil of Turbhe police said the accused has confessed to selling the stolen gold ornaments to a jeweller in Ghatkopar and has provided the contact details of the suspected buyer.

Qureshi was produced before the Belapur court, which remanded him to police custody until May 25 as investigations continue.