CHENNAI: A 63-year-old milk vendor was arrested and remanded on Monday for allegedly murdering a 45-year-old contract sanitation worker at her house in Karalapakkam near Avadi.
The deceased, S Latha of Yadhava Street in Karalapakkam, was working as a contract sanitation worker with the Karalapakkam panchayat. Her husband had died eight years ago and, having no children, she was living alone. The accused, N Munivel, who was from the same locality, was in a relationship with Latha and they used to meet frequently, police said.
On August 20, Munivel picked up a quarrel with Latha after suspecting that she might be in contact with other men. Later, when Latha went to sleep, Munivel attacked her on the head with a hammer and fled the house, police added.
As Latha did not come out of the house for the next few days, neighbours alerted the police on Saturday evening, after a foul smell started emanating from the house. Muthapudupet police opened the house and found Latha’s body in a decomposed state.
As there was no CCTV footage available in the area, police examined Latha’s call history during the investigation. Based on the calls made between Latha and Munivel, police identified him as the suspect and traced him to his house in Karalapakkam. He was arrested on Sunday night. Police have booked Munivel under BNS Section 103(1), pertaining to murder. He was remanded to judicial custody on Monday.