Lucknow: Lucknow Police has cracked the murder and robbery of an elderly woman who was found dead at her residence in Aashiana on Oct 27. Three people, including two women, have been arrested, while a minor girl has been taken into custody in connection with the crime.The victim, Neera Gupta, lived alone in her Sector-K, Aashiana home. According to police, the accused had drugged the woman by mixing sedatives in her milk before carrying out the crime.DCP Central Zone, Arpit Vijayvargiya, said the minor girl, who worked as domestic help at the victim’s house, conspired with three accomplices — Ravi Prakash Rawat, Moni Rawat and Sarita Rawat — to rob the elderly woman.“Sarita stood guard outside the house while Ravi, Moni and the minor girl entered the premises wearing gloves. When Gupta woke up during the robbery and resisted, Ravi smothered her with a pillow, while Moni and the minor girl strangled her. The minor girl allegedly struck the back of Gupta’s head with an iron pestle used for grinding spices, causing her death,” said DCP Vijayvargiya.The accused then fled with cash, jewellery and other valuables.CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding areas was examined, while technical and physical evidence was collected. Police also questioned people who had access to the victim’s house and examined the activities of those in contact with the domestic help.Based on CCTV footage and other evidence, police identified the four suspects and subsequently arrested Ravi Prakash Rawat, 20, a resident of Nagram in Lucknow; Moni Rawat, 20, a resident of Barabanki; and Sarita Rawat, 23, a resident of Nagram. The minor girl has been taken into custody under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.Police said cash, coins, gold and silver ornaments, utensils, religious articles and several personal belongings of the deceased were recovered following the arrests.
