After one year, mobile phone reveals that case of missing woman was murder

Chamarajpet police cracked the police after finding out that the missing woman’s phone was being used, but with a different SIM

Chamarajpet police in Bengaluru cracked the police after finding out that the missing woman’s phone was being used, but with a different SIM. | Photo Credit: For representation only

After gathering dust for over a year, a missing person case registered in July 2021 has turned out to be one of murder. The Chamarajpet police, based on instructions given during a recent crime review, cracked the murder of a 43-year-old woman and arrested a 35-year-old rowdy-sheeter and his female associate on August 24.

The victim, Chandrakala, was living alone in a rented house and worked at a gunny bag stitching unit. One of the accused Lakshmi, 38, was also working in the same unit. She noticed that Chandrakala was alone and had some gold jewellery. She hatched a plan with her associate Narayana G. to kill her and take her valuables.

As per the plan, Lakshmi offered to get herbal medicines for Chandrakala from a quack for a prolonged illness. The two women, accompanied by Narayana, went to Halaguru on the outskirts of Mandya district on July 27, 2021.

After reaching Mullayana Katte in Halaguru police station limits, Narayana and Lakshmi allegedly strangled Chandrakala with her veil and crushed her head with a boulder to conceal her identity. The duo checked her bag but did not find anything valuable.

Lakshmi had asked Chandrakala to wear her jewellery promising to arrange a prospective groom on the way back. Though Chandrakala agreed, she had kept her valuables at home.

After killing Chandrakala, Lakshmi returned home with Chandrakala’s mobile phone. She replaced the SIM with her own and started using the phone.

A few days later, Halaguru police recovered a highly decomposed body of an unidentified woman and registered a case of murder, but were unable to crack the case due to lack of clues.

Meanwhile, a distant relative of Chandrakala reported her as missing. Police registered a missing complaint, but there was no progress in the case since then.

Recently, DCP Commissioner of Police (West division) Lakshman Nimbargi, during a crime review, asked the police to follow up on pending cases, including the missing case of Chandrakala.

Based on his instruction, the police checked call record details (CDR) and found that the last call was made by Lakshmi. The police also found that Chandrakala’s phone was being used with a different SIM. On suspicion, the police tracked down the mobile phone user, which turned out to be Lakshmi.

Detailed questioning led her to confess to the crime, following which the police arrested Narayana as well. The duo have been charged with murder. The case has been transferred to Halaguru police station for further investigation.