Bhilwara: Tonk police on Wednesday solved the murder of an elderly woman whose body was found dumped in pieces in the Mehndawas police station area seven days ago. Police arrested the accused, 58-year-old Rasal Devi, and recovered the axe allegedly used in the killing. Police also recovered silver ornaments allegedly stolen after the victim's hands and feet were cut.
Murder Motive
According to the police, Rasal Devi committed the murder due to financial hardship and to repay debt. Tonk SP Roshan Meena said police received information late at night on June 11 about human remains lying at a garbage dumping site behind the Lawadar Gram Panchayat building. Senior officers reached the spot, and an FSL team seized the body remains, clothes, plastic pieces, sacks, cord, keys and other evidence.
Investigation Details
The deceased was identified three days later as 70-year-old Harbai, wife of Kesra Gurjar. A case was registered against unknown persons under relevant sections, and multiple teams were formed. Police carried out villagewide searches and scanned nearby CCTV footage while questioning the victim's relatives and other suspects.
Sequence of Events
Police said Harbai Gurjar lived alone in a hut in Lawadar village. Rasal, who lived nearby, allegedly targeted the ornaments Harbai wore. On June 9 afternoon, Rasal allegedly called Harbai into her house on the pretext of offering tea and water, then struck her on the head with an axe, killing her on the spot.
Post-Murder Actions
Investigators said the accused then severed the victim's hands and feet with the axe, removed silver bangles from her limbs, packed the body in plastic and a sack, and dumped it at the garbage site behind the Gram Panchayat building. Police said the accused, Rasal Devi, was being further interrogated.
