Surat: Athwalines police have arrested a woman in connection with the murder of an 84-year-old woman in Nanpura, three days after the elderly victim was found dead at her apartment.The deceased, Ameena alias Amiben Motiwala, lived alone on the sixth floor of Monalisa Apartment in Nanpura. Police registered a case on Sep 13 after one of her relatives approached the Athwalines police station.According to the complaint, Motiwala was allegedly strangled and had suffered a serious head injury and broken ribs. Police registered a case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The investigation initially proved challenging as the motive was unclear. Police found that Motiwala was wearing around seven tolas of gold jewellery, but none of the ornaments had been taken, making an apparent robbery motive unclear.ACP V R Malhotra said a team of Athwalines police examined around 300 CCTV recordings and identified a woman seen leaving the area and boarding an autorickshaw. Investigators traced the autorickshaw driver and subsequently identified the woman as 35-year-old Chhaya Shah.According to police, Shah is a single mother who lives with her 15-year-old son. During interrogation, she confessed to killing Motiwala.Police said Shah had previously visited Monalisa Apartment to inspect a flat next to Motiwala’s residence. During that visit, Motiwala had greeted her and invited her to move into the neighbourhood, saying she would have a neighbour for company.Investigators allege that Shah later returned to Motiwala’s flat intending to steal valuables. Police said she attacked the elderly woman with an iron object. After Motiwala fell, the accused strangled her using a cable attached to the iron.ACP Malhotra said Shah worked as a caretaker and lived alone with her son. On the day of the incident, Motiwala was wearing around seven tolas of gold jewellery. However, he said Shah left with only Motiwala’s mobile phone and some cash after her son began screaming and objected to her actions.Police said further investigations are underway in the case.
