Mumbai: A 40-year-old woman has been arrested for the murder of her two-year-old nephew in Malad on Friday. Vivaan Kandu was found dead near his residence last week.
Police said Vivaan, who stayed with his parents in Kachpada, went missing while playing near his residence on Monday. His body was found by police sniffer dogs early on Tuesday, stuffed in a large plastic bag next to his uncle's residence a short distance away from his own. The police had registered a case of murder against unknown persons. They said the arrested accused, identified as Indu Kandu, is married to Vivaan’s uncle.
“We got evidence placing Vivaan in her company before he was found dead, and the location of the body further pointed to her involvement. After investigations, we placed her under arrest on Thursday,” said Senior PI Sudhir Mahadik. He added that police are interrogating Indu to ascertain motive, and said she is not being cooperative.
“Indu and Vivaan’s father had recently argued over property and relations were strained between them. We are pursuing this aspect while also ascertaining if there could be another motive ,” an officer said.
Police sources said on Monday afternoon, Vivaan went to his aunt’s when she was alone. They added she allegedly strangled him to death, waited till his parents were done searching for him and registered a police compliant. Sh then allegedly placed his body outside her house when no one around, said officers.