Alcoholic nephew murders aunt; steals money, gold

The city police have arrested a man for murdering his 77-year-old aunt to steal Rs 15,000 and gold ornaments on Thursday.

Ganesh, nephew of Muniyamma, a resident of Bagalur, was caught within three hours of the murder. Muniyamma was living alone.

The police said the murder happened on Thursday around 11 pm. Ganesh, a driver, is the son of Muniyamma's sister, who was living close by. An alcoholic, Ganesh used to demand money from his aunt.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Muniyamma would sleep at her sister's place every night. But she did not turn up on Thursday night. Sensing something was amiss, her sister rushed to her house and found the door bolted from inside. She peeped in through the window, and saw Ganesh inside. When she called out to Ganesh, he opened the door and bolted. Ganesh's mother hurried inside and found Muniyamma lying motionless. Her gold chain, a bangle and cash kept in the cupboard had gone missing, and she immediately alerted the police.

The police rushed to the spot and began their probe. Muniyamma's sister told the police that she saw her son Ganesh running out after shutting himself in the house earlier.

"Ganesh knew that Muniyamma had withdrawn money from the bank on Thursday and he badgered her to lend for liquor," the police, quoted her as saying.

Based on a complaint, the police registered a case of murder and arrested Ganesh from Bagalur. In his confession, the accused said he strangled her to death since she refused to lend him money.