Ludhiana: After allegedly murdering an elderly NRI landlord to steal cash for a family debt, a 24-year-old father now faces a life behind bars. Police say the “calculated” killer left his shoes behind but couldn’t outrun a single footprint.The 24-year-old man has been arrested on the charges of murdering an elderly NRI (non-resident Indian) woman whose body was discovered in her bathroom in Khanna’s Nai Abadi area last week. Police officials confirmed on Saturday that the suspect, a tenant of the victim, allegedly strangled the woman after breaking into her home to steal cash to settle a debt. Khanna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Darpan Ahluwalia has told reporters that the investigation began on Feb 1 after a distress call to the 112 helpline.The victim, Jagpal Kaur, was found dead in her home near Leo Bakery on GT Road. Due to the gravity of the crime, a specialised forensic and technical team was established under the leadership of SP (investigation) Pawanjit. While CCTV footage in the area was limited, investigators utilised “human intelligence” and technical resources to narrow down the suspect pool from among the four to five families renting property from the deceased.The Suspect and MotiveThe accused has been identified as Rahul, 24, a daily wage earner originally from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Rahul had lived in one of Jagpal Kaur’s rental properties with his wife and two children (aged five and seven) for three years, paying a monthly rent of Rs 2,000. The suspect’s wife works as a local maid.Police claim the motive was financial desperation. Rahul had reportedly borrowed Rs 20,000 for his father’s medical treatment; however, his father passed away several months ago. Having performed plumbing work in Jagpal Kaur’s main residence, Rahul was familiar with the layout and believed the woman kept significant rental income on the premises.A Premeditated AttackThe SSP described the killing as a “calculated” act. Investigators noted Rahul had performed a “reconnaissance” of the street, identifying “blind spots” in the local CCTV network to avoid being filmed. Rahul allegedly entered the property by scaling a wall at 2.30am to avoid making noise and waited for two hours. At about 4.30 am, when the NRI woman woke up to use the washroom, Rahul intercepted her. Police say he pushed her, causing a head injury that knocked her unconscious. He then bound her hands and feet before strangling her with a towel he had brought for that purpose.To avoid detection, Rahul did not wear shoes during the crime and left his mobile phone at his own home to avoid digital tracking. Despite his efforts to hide his trail, forensic teams discovered a footprint on the wall that eventually linked him to the scene.Aftermath and ArrestAfter the murder, Rahul allegedly stole a purse from a cupboard containing cash and other articles. He reportedly spent the day roaming the city in a state of panic before returning home that evening. Police are currently seeking a remand to determine if the suspect has a prior criminal record and to recover the remaining stolen items. SSP Ahluwalia has urged residents to install private CCTV and ensured that all landlords perform mandatory police verification of tenants.
