 | | statement: The watchman Suresh Yadav said the couple’s servant was of great help. pic/divyesh nair |
The Santacruz police yesterday ruled out robbery as the motive behind the murder of Dilip Chandan Randheri (72) and his wife Varsha (61). The elderly couple was burnt to death in their flat at Garden Crest, in Santacruz (W) on Saturday. They are now looking for the couple’s servant, Sandeep Sonu Maigade (29), who has been absconding since the killing.
Investigating officer PSI Shashikant Padale, said, “It is almost certain that the servant is involved in the murder, but no one is out of suspicion right now. Robbery was definitely not the motive, as nothing is missing from the couple’s flat.” The police have dispatched three teams to various locations in Konkan to look for Sandeep, as he hails from the area.
The murder was discovered by the couple’s son Neeraj when he went to visit them. As the door was locked, he opened it with a spare key and found the charred bodies. He and some neighbours immediately informed the police about it.
Neeraj and his wife had moved out from the couple’s house four years ago after a family dispute. The couple also has a daughter, Mona, who is settled abroad. They had been living in the Garden Crest building for 24 years.
The building’s watchman, Suresh Yadav, said, “I have interacted with the Randheris and they were good people. Their servant had been staying with them for about a decade and was a great help to them, as Dilip had a problem walking and doing things on his own.” | 
