A 55-year-old woman has been arrested in Ahmedabad in connection with the death of an elderly Dariapur resident who died after being drugged and robbed in his own home. Lata Chauhan, a resident of Shahpur, has been booked for culpable homicide after Abdul Sipai, 81, succumbed to complications following the incident.
Incident Details
According to police, Chauhan gained entry into Sipai's home near Delhi Chakla and served sedative-laced buttermilk to him and his wife. After the couple lost consciousness, she allegedly stole their valuables and fled. Sipai later died during treatment.
Legal Charges
Chauhan now faces charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing hurt by means of poison with the intent to commit an offence, theft and house-trespass.
Criminal History
Investigators say she is a habitual offender with nine prior cases across the city, including in Madhavpura, Ghatlodia, Vejalpur, Vadaj, Khadia, Kalupur and Shahpur. Police allege she specifically targeted elderly people living alone or with limited support, offering to help with cooking or grocery shopping to gain their trust and enter their homes.
Investigation and Arrest
Crime branch officials said they linked Chauhan to the incidents through criminal profiling and intelligence gathering, identifying a pattern of drugging victims before robbing them. Acting on a tip-off, officers traced her to Shahpur and detained her before handing her over to Dariapur police for further investigation.
The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals living alone and the need for community vigilance. Police have urged residents to report suspicious individuals offering unsolicited help to seniors.
