Kanpur, Sep 2 (IANS) A 58-year-old woman was found murdered during a robbery at her residence in the Keshavpuram area of Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur. Police suspect that the perpetrators may have been familiar with the house and had prior knowledge of where valuables were kept, officials said.

The deceased has been identified as Uma Kushwaha, who was allegedly killed during a robbery at her residence on Tuesday evening.

Uma’s body was found seated on a chair inside the house, with a bruise visible on her neck, while belongings were found scattered across different parts of the residence, indicating that a search for valuables may have taken place.

However, police and forensic teams examining the scene did not find any apparent signs of forced entry into the house. This has led investigators to suspect that the accused may have been known to the family or could have had detailed information about the house and its occupants.

Officials suspect that the accused had complete knowledge of the residence and knew where cash and jewellery were kept. Investigators also believe that the accused appeared to know where the keys to the elder son’s cupboard were kept. Uma’s husband, Shivmangal, reached home shortly after the incident.

According to police, only the cupboard belonging to the elder son, Amrish, was found broken, while the cupboard of the younger son, Ashish, had not been disturbed. Shivmangal told police that the cupboard contained jewellery belonging to his elder son’s wife, Neha, as well as Uma.

The key to the cupboard was reportedly kept inside a safe at the house. Police said the cupboard itself appeared to have been opened using a key, while the locker containing the jewellery had been broken with a sharp object.

Amrish has been living with his wife, Neha, in a separate house in Maswanpur for the past nine years. The father and son jointly operate a book stall at a shop located in the market.

The circumstances surrounding the robbery and murder have led investigators to examine whether the accused had prior information about the family’s belongings and the location of the keys, particularly since there were no obvious signs that the house had been forcibly entered.

Teams from Rawatpur Police Station and DCP West S.M. Qasim Abdi are actively investigating the case.

Speaking to reporters, DCP West S.M. Qasim Abdi said, “The body was immediately taken into custody and sent for a post-mortem examination. The surrounding CCTV footage is currently being scrutinised. Prima facie, there are no signs of any forced entry into the house, nor is there any evidence of forcible entry.”

Speaking to IANS, tenant Sapna Gupta recalled the events that led to the discovery of Uma’s body. She said the family initially became concerned when Uma did not respond to repeated phone calls.

” Around 7:00, when it was time to fill water, my husband called Aunty’s phone to ask her to start the water, but there was no reply. Then her husband called, and there was still no reply. My husband then called Uncle to inform him that Aunty wasn’t picking up the phone. When the call connected, Uncle asked us to go open the door and check… When my husband pushed the door, we found her like this,” Sapna said.

Police and forensic teams have collected evidence from the residence and are examining the available CCTV footage as part of efforts to establish the sequence of events.

Investigators are also questioning people familiar with the family and the locality to determine whether anyone had prior knowledge of the valuables kept inside the house.

Further details are awaited.

–IANS

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