Bhubaneswar: In a major breakthrough in the elderly woman’s murder in Bhubaneswar, police on Friday seized gold jewellery weighing around half a kilogram looted by the accused caretaker, arrested from Surat.
It may be noted that 76-year-old Kunjalata Nanda was allegedly murdered by the caretaker on November 3 at Buddhanagar area under Laxmisagar police station in Bhubaneswar.
Police said the seized bag contains 52 gold-coated playing cards and other gold ornaments, estimated to be worth over Rs ten lakh. Silver utensils, looted cash and a scooter have also been recovered.
The seized articles included two pairs of gold bangles, a gold chain with locket, two finger rings, one pair gold ear ring, four gold plated plying cards, 15 silver ornaments weighing about one kg.
Police said accused caretaker Balabhadra Maharana alias Balia had hidden the looted valuables at the house of his friend Sabita Sethi at Brahmagiri in Puri district. He had told her that he was going outside for work before leaving the items there.
According to police, Balabhadra has confessed to brutally murdering Kunjalata on November 3 with the intention of loot.
Nine days after the crime, he was arrested from Surat in Gujarat. Police have also arrested Sabita for allegedly helping the accused despite knowing about the crime. Both are being interrogated by the police as part of investigation.
