Relative turns suspect in murder of housewife; commits suicide

Rajani's killing in October was initially believed to be one of the serial killings by a gang of robbers targeting lone women

K. Janardhan, 42, committed suicide in Rajendranagar after investigators zeroed in on him in the murder of his close relative, Rajani, reported more than two months ago, the police said on Thursday.

The killing of Rajani (40) in Vijayapuri colony on October 18 was initially believed to be one of the serial killings by a gang of robbers targeting lone women in houses with ‘to let' boards. However, the case remained undetected despite police pursuing different leads. Recently, the investigators narrowed down on Janardhan, husband of Rajani's younger sister, after noticing his ‘strange behaviour'.

Janardhan, who was unemployed, used to live in Chitra layout of L.B. Nagar, half-a-kilometre away from Rajani's house. Rajani's husband, Sampath, works as manager in a corporate hospital. Janardhan used to frequent her house since he was a close relative.

Strange behaviour

After failing to achieve breakthrough in the murder, police noticed that Janardhan was frequently found consuming liquor. Sometimes he was found sitting in the car alone and consuming liquor during daytime. This aroused their first suspicion about his possible connection to the killing.

Inquiries revealed that he suffered losses after investing in some businesses and was neck-deep in debts. “How did he get money to spend on liquor without working anywhere? This further strengthened our suspicions and we continued to keep a tab on his movements,” the investigators said.

On learning that he was frequently meeting a friend, the police searched the latter's house only to find some receipts of gold jewellery mortgaged with two private companies. When police checked up with the companies, it was confirmed that the pledged gold jewellery was that of Rajani taken away by her killers.

Feigns innocence

The Chaitanyapuri police questioned him over the new findings three days ago but Janardhan feigned innocence stating that he would come back to them with details soon. But, he went missing from Tuesday. The same day, he went to the house of his friend Sudhakar in Hyderguda of Rajendranagar and stayed put there.

“He apparently went there to take shelter. Sudhakar maintained that he continuously consumed liquor and consumed some acid in the bathroom on Wednesday night,” the police said. He was shifted to Yashoda hospital in Malakpet where he died by the time police reached there to record his statement.