A 72-year-old wife of a retired Army captain was killed by her domestic help following a dispute over missing jewellery in Haryana's Panchkula, police said.
CCTV footage showed the maid and her son moving the woman's body and concealing it on the neighbouring rooftop.
In his complaint, Mehta said some gold jewellery was missing from their residence and his wife suspected their domestic help of stealing it.
And to inquire about that, he is going to his house help's house," Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police Aditi Singh said.
Officials said the investigation indicated that Sunita was angry over being repeatedly called a "thief" following suspicions over the missing jewellery.
A 72-year-old wife of a retired Army captain was killed by her domestic help following a dispute over missing jewellery in Haryana's Panchkula, police said.
The victim, Neera Mehta, wife of retired Army captain Manmohan Lal Mehta, was found dead on the rooftop of a house near the maid's residence. CCTV footage showed the maid and her son moving the woman's body and concealing it on the neighbouring rooftop.
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The domestic help, Sunita Devi, her husband Shankar and son Raja were arrested within 24 hours of the murder on Monday, police said.
Police said a preliminary investigation suggested that Sunita was upset after being repeatedly accused of stealing jewellery from the Mehtas' house. Officials added an argument over the suspected theft escalated into a physical altercation, resulting in Neena's death.
Police are, however, awaiting the post-mortem report to establish the exact cause of death.
WOMAN WENT TO QUESTION MAID OVER MISSING JEWELLERY
The murder came to light after the retired Army captain approached the police when his wife failed to return home.
In his complaint, Mehta said some gold jewellery was missing from their residence and his wife suspected their domestic help of stealing it. Neera subsequently went to the domestic help's house at a nearby location in the city to question her but did not return.
"He gave the information that there was a robbery in his house. His wife told him that some of his ornaments were missing. And to inquire about that, he is going to his house help's house," Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police Aditi Singh said.
Acting on the complaint, a police team reached Sunita's residence and found the house locked from outside. During the search, officers accessed the adjoining rooftop through a neighbouring house.
Police subsequently found Neera's body concealed under a covering on the rooftop. The body was sent for forensic examination.
CCTV SHOWS BODY BEING MOVED
CCTV footage of the incident has also surfaced, showing Sunita Devi and her son Raja carrying Neera's body out of the house and taking it to a neighbouring rooftop. The footage shows the mother-son duo covering and concealing the body in an apparent attempt to prevent anyone from noticing it.
Police said the accused attempted to destroy evidence after the incident.
Officials said the investigation indicated that Sunita was angry over being repeatedly called a "thief" following suspicions over the missing jewellery. Police said the killing was planned by Sunita along with her husband and son over the dispute.
Police detained Sunita, Shankar and Raja on the basis of evidence gathered during the investigation and subsequently arrested all three. Police said the accused confessed to their involvement during questioning.
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However, Sunita denied stealing the jewellery and claimed that Neera died after slipping and falling. Police said her claim, along with other aspects of the case, was being investigated.
The exact circumstances and cause of Neera's death will be determined on the basis of the post-mortem report, forensic examination and other scientific evidence, police said.
POLICE URGE SENIOR CITIZENS TO VERIFY DOMESTIC HELPS
Following the killing, police appealed to senior citizens living alone in Panchkula to have their domestic workers verified.
DCP Singh said Panchkula Commissioner of Police Pankaj Nain had earlier launched a special helpline (9115777026) for senior citizens living alone in the city. Senior citizens can use the helpline to get domestic workers verified and seek immediate police assistance when required.
She urged elderly residents living alone to contact the helpline, their nearest police station or the respective police post for verification of domestic workers.
Police said the Mehta family had not informed authorities that they were living alone. According to the DCP, police have so far identified 170 senior citizens living alone in Panchkula.
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Umang Sheoran input/agencies
Published By: Vivek Published On: Aug 6, 2026 21:15 IST
