The mother of Delhi-based journalist Nirupama Pathak, found dead in her home here, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of having a hand in her death, even as the police is trying to ascertain whether this is a case of honour killing.
Subha was arrested during the day under Sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and 120 b (criminal conspiracy) based on circumstantial evidences after the post-mortem of the 22-year-old journalist, Koderma Superintendent of Police G. Kranthi Kumar said.
The mother was remanded to 15-days' judicial custody by the Chief Judicial Magistrate court.
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The post-mortem report revealed that Nirupama died due to asphyxia as a result of smothering and there was a ligature mark around her neck pointing to strangulation with a rope, Mr. Kumar said.
Nirupama's father Dharmesh, a bank employee in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district, and brothers Shailendra and Salil are being interrogated. The family had told the police that Nirupama died after being electrocuted in her home in Tilaya town here on April 29.
Mr. Kumar said the police was also investigating in Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh to find out where Nirupama's father and brothers were at the time of her death. All three denied being present in Tilaya on the day.
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Nirupama, a Brahmin, planning to marry her batch mate Priyabhanshu Ranjan, a Kayastha from Darbhanga in Bihar.