Elderly couple’s murder: Police suspects loot as motive

Bhubaneswar: Loot could be the motive behind the elderly couple’s murder in Bhubaneswar, according to Commissionerate Police. According to police sources, the probe has revealed that around Rs 20,000-30,000 have been robbed from the house along with some gold ornaments. Police have cast suspicion on some drivers who worked for the couple.

Nine persons, including some part-time drivers of the couple have been detained in connection with the incident so far.

Police had earlier said, the possibility of the involvement of outsiders who could have committed the crime in close connivance with the maids or drivers cannot be ruled out.

“Police have formed special teams to probe the incident and we have kept all aspects open in the investigation,” said Police commissioner Rajendra Prasad Sharma.

“They had no enmity with anyone and we can’t understand why someone would commit such a brutal act out of vengeance. Our suspicion is on the domestic help,” said the nephew of the murdered couple.

Notably, Prafulla Mishra, an ophthalmologist and his gynecologist wife Sushma were found dead in their house at Sailashree Vihar in Bhubaneswar on Sunday morning. Mishra was found strangulated with a saree while Sushma had been assaulted on her head with a blunt object. The double murder, which is believed to have taken place between 5.45 am and 6.15 am, has sent shockwaves in the city.

The 70-member senior citizen’s forum of Sailashree Vihar has demanded safety of elderly people and immediate arrest of the culprits.