Autorickshaw driver among two arrested in Chickballapur for killing woman to rob gold valuables

The Manchenahalli police on Monday arrested a 27-year-old autorickshaw driver and his female friend for allegedly murdering the former’s ex-colleague, to rob her of gold valuables to repay the loan he had incurred.

Chickballapur SP Kushal Chouksey said that the accused Rakesh, a resident of Gouribidanur, and his friend Anjali, 27, from Vibhutipura, have been arrested, while two others, Naveen Kumar, a cab driver, and Niharika, accused in the case, are on the run and efforts are on to track them down.

According to the police, the accused was earlier working for a catering company where he met the victim, Archana, 27, from Srikantapuram, Hindupur, Sathya Sai district, A.P.

The accused used to call her his sister and they used to chat frequently even after Rakesh quit his job and become an autorickshaw driver, the police said.

Probe revealed that Rakesh had incurred a huge loan and even pawned his bike, and has not paid EMI for the autorickshaw for the past three months. He contacted many for financial help, including Archana. While chatting with her, he allegedly saw the gold chain she was wearing and hit upon the idea to rob her. He allegedly discussed the idea with Anjali and sought her help to kill Archana and rob the valuables to clear his dues. Archana agreed and roped in her friends Naveen and Niharika for the job, the police said.

As per the plan, they invited Archana for a trip on her birthday and allegedly strangled her before removing the valuables and dumping the body near Namagondlu Bridge, Manchenalli, on August 17.

The Manchenahalli police recovered the decomposed body the next day.

The police ascertained the identity of the body after contacting the neighboring States and districts and found through call record details that Rakesh had contacted her.

On suspicion, the police picked up Rakesh, who by then had allegedly pawned the gold and cleared the loan. Based on his alleged confession, the police arrested Anjali for abetting to his crime.