A 21-year-old man has been arrested in India for the brutal murder of his neighbour, whose body he is accused of stuffing into a suitcase and dumping in a lake to repay debts from online gaming.
Gagan R, who lived in the village of Challaghatta, in Bengaluru, was detained on Wednesday after police linked him to the killing of 61-year-old Jayamma. The victim lived nearby with her son Jai Kumar, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. She was on friendly terms with Gagan’s family, often visiting to chat with his mother and exchanging small favours such as borrowing groceries or vegetables, reported The Times of India.
Murder and theft of gold jewellery
Gagan had previously worked at a petrol station but lost his job. Police say he ran up large debts through online gaming and began targeting the gold jewellery worn by Jayamma.
On July 15, she visited his house while he was alone. During their conversation, he strangled her before stealing her mangalsutra chain, gold bangles, earrings and a ring. To hide the crime, he forced her body into a red trolley suitcase.
He then loaded it onto his motorcycle and rode in broad daylight to Ramohalli Thimmappana Lake in southwest Bengaluru, where he dumped it in the water before his family returned home.
Discovery and arrest
Jayamma’s family reported her missing on July 16 after searches among relatives proved fruitless. On July 21, the suitcase was spotted floating in the lake with part of a body and a hand visible.
Officers registered a murder case and used technical evidence to identify Gagan as the prime suspect. Deputy Commissioner of Police (south-west) Anitha B Haddannavar described it as a “murder-for-gain” case. A team is now working to recover the stolen jewellery.
