Mumbai crime: 75-year-old woman killed in Wadala, one held

The suspect in police custody on Wednesday. Pic/ Apoorva Agashe

Mumbai crime: The Wadala police in Mumbai arrested a suspect involved in the alleged murder of a 75-year-old senior citizen and the subsequent destruction of evidence by burning the victim's body. The case had baffled investigators, but through human intelligence and technical evidence, the alleged murderer was tracked down within just five days, the police said.

The incident came to light on October 26 when Shrikant Sonawale, the railway station incharge of the Mumbai Port Trust's (BPT) informed the police about an unidentified body found between gate numbers 4 and 5. Immediately, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against an unknown person under sections 302 (Murder) and 201 (Destruction of Evidence), an official said.

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The victim was identified as Sugrabi Mulla (75), who worked as a maid in Dosti Erene. Concerned about her prolonged absence from work, her relatives reported her missing at the Wadala police station. Upon seeing the body being found in BPT, the police identified it as Sugrabi Mulla, the official said.

Initially, the police detained family members of the victim for investigation, but after a thorough inquiry, they were released. It was discovered that the woman was last seen near a shop before her disappearance.

The police took a proactive approach, sharing her photos on WhatsApp groups in the nearby area, and mobilized 12 teams from the port zone to investigate the crime.

Through diligent work and investigation, the police located the woman in a house. The accused, Mohammad Sayeed (27), had invited Sugrabi Mulla to his residence by telling her, "Khalla Ghar aao, Chai piyo" (Come uncle, have tea). Mulla knew the accused and entered his residence.

However, once inside, Mohammad Sayeed physically assaulted the woman, striking her over the head twice with an iron rod. He then placed her lifeless body in a gunny bag and threw it from his building. Later, under the cover of darkness, he dragged the body to a deserted area and set it ablaze.

"Preliminary evidence suggests that Mohammad acted alone in the crime. Our Crime Detection Team, led by Police Inspector Vikas Mhahumkar and other dedicated officers, worked tirelessly to apprehend the accused within just five days," stated Senior Police Inspector Milind Jadhav of the Wadala police station.

Mohammad Sayeed, who allegedly has no prior criminal record, has been arrested will be produced before a court. The police investigation continues to uncover all the details surrounding this tragic incident, the police said.