Cops say suspicion immediately fell on victim’s estranged husband who left belongings behind after murder at her Powai home
Aditya Vardhan Society where the murder took place in the early hours of Sunday. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Rajiv Chandrabhan Lala, 60, the retired Air India employee who killed his 54-year-old wife R Shalinidevi at her Powai home, allegedly forgot his mobile phone and car keys at her home while fleeing after the murder in the early hours of Sunday. This mistake led to his swift arrest, the police said.
Shalinidevi was an advocate and had helped several people fight domestic violence cases. She lived in Aditya Vardhan Society and had separated from Lala in 1997, two years after they got married.
A police officer said, “On Saturday night, Lala reportedly went to Shalinidevi’s Powai residence to collect some documents. The couple got into an argument, during which Lala allegedly smothered Shalinidevi with a pillow, killing her.”
According to the police, Lala had also severely beaten her up before killing her. Around 1.30 am on Sunday, Lala left the house but forgot his phone and car keys inside. Around 2 am, neighbours noticed Shalinidevi’s door open and, on checking, found her unconscious. They immediately alerted police, who rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead before admission. Neighbours told the police that they had heard loud arguments from inside the house late at night.
Speaking with mid-day, DCP Dutta Nalawade said, “With the help of CCTV footage, and the mobile phone and car keys found inside, suspicion fell on the husband. On interrogation, Lala confessed to the crime. The couple had been separated for nearly three decades but continued to have disputes.”
A police officer said, “Shalinidevi was an advocate and she helped many people in domestic violence cases.”
The police arrested Lala for murder on Sunday, and further investigation is underway.
1997
Year the couple had separated
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
