A 68-year-old woman, Saraswathi, was killed in a staged road accident in Bengaluru on February 26th, orchestrated for robbery. Police have arrested five individuals involved in the crime.
The incident occurred near Kadubeesanahalli in Marathahalli. The accused intentionally knocked down Saraswathi while she was walking, creating the illusion of a genuine accident. While she was lying injured, they attempted to rob her of her belongings, specifically a gold chain.
The perpetrators, identified as Venkatesh, Pavan, Vinod, Nandeesh, and Madhu, are all habitual offenders with prior criminal records. Investigations revealed a pre-planned scheme where they targeted elderly pedestrians, believing they were less likely to resist and potentially carried valuables.
Police investigation began after a complaint was filed regarding the incident. Initial reports suggested a hit-and-run, but inconsistencies in witness statements and evidence at the scene raised suspicions. CCTV footage analysis played a crucial role in identifying the vehicle involved – a Mahindra XUV500 – and subsequently tracking down the suspects.
The accused confessed to the crime during interrogation, admitting they intentionally hit Saraswathi and attempted the robbery. The impact of the collision caused severe head injuries, leading to Saraswathi’s death while she was being transported to a hospital.
Police recovered the stolen gold chain, valued at approximately ₹1.5 lakh, from the possession of the accused. They also seized the vehicle used in the commission of the crime. The Marathahalli police have registered a case under sections 302 (murder), 392 (robbery), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The investigation is ongoing to determine if the group was involved in similar incidents in other parts of the city.
