BENGALURU: A missing person case involving a 61-year-old woman took a chilling turn after police arrested a 21-year-old youth for allegedly killing his neighbour to rob her jewellery and repay debts incurred through online gaming.The accused allegedly stuffed her body into a trolley suitcase and dumped it in Ramohalli Lake.Gagan R, a resident of Challaghatta village, was arrested by the Kumbalagodu Police on Wednesday.Jayamma (61), a homemaker, lived with her son Jai Kumar, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren in Challaghatta. A senior police officer said Jayamma was familiar with Gagan’s family and would frequently visit their house to speak with his mother.Gagan had earlier worked at a fuel station but had recently been unemployed.Police said he had suffered financial losses through online gaming and accumulated significant debts. Unable to repay them, he allegedly began eyeing the gold jewellery worn by Jayamma and hatched a plan to rob her. However, he was initially unsuccessful.On July 15, at around 3.35pm, Jayamma visited Gagan’s house. His family members were away, leaving him alone at home. Gagan allegedly seized the opportunity, strangled the elderly woman to death and robbed her of the mangalya chain, gold bangles, earrings and a finger ring she was wearing.To conceal the crime, the accused allegedly stuffed the body into a trolley suitcase, transported it on his motorcycle and dumped it in Ramohalli Lake before returning home as if nothing had happened.Meanwhile, Jayamma’s family began searching for her after she failed to return home. When repeated searches among relatives and acquaintances yielded no clues, her son approached the Kumbalagodu Police and lodged a missing person complaint.The case took a gruesome turn on Tuesday when locals spotted a suitcase floating in Ramohalli Lake and alerted the police. Officers rushed to the spot, recovered the suitcase and found Jayamma’s decomposed body inside. A murder case was registered, following which police zeroed in on Gagan.During questioning, Gagan allegedly confessed to disposing of the stolen jewellery at a jewellery shop. He also allegedly told police that mounting debts had led him to kill and rob Jayamma.Deputy commissioner of police (South-West) Anitha B Haddannavar said, “It is a murder-for-gain case. The youth who killed Jayamma has been arrested. The team is working to recover the stolen gold jewellery.”
