A 70-year-old woman has been found murdered inside her home in the Nelamangala area on the outskirts of Bengaluru. In Photo, Victim Shobha

BENGALURU: A 70-year-old woman has been found murdered inside her home in the Nelamangala area on the outskirts of Bengaluru, police say, in an attack that allegedly took place while her mentally challenged husband lay beside her. The victim, Shobha, lived with her husband Ranganath in Kote Beedi in the Hirapur locality. The killing occurred at about 1.03am, when a man allegedly entered the house and slit her throat.

Arrest and alleged motive

Police have arrested Shivakumar, described as a wholesale shop owner, in connection with the case. Investigators allege the crime was driven by financial distress. According to officers, the suspect was attempting to clear a debt of around Rs 8 lakh. Shobha, who was the daughter of a jewellery shop owner, was wearing substantial gold ornaments at the time. Police believe the accused searched the house for cash after the attack. The couple had no children and lived alone. Ranganath has reportedly been mentally challenged for about 15 years. Earlier that day, the two had returned home from their routine morning walk.

Body discovered by doctor

The killing was discovered when a doctor arrived to administer physiotherapy to Ranganath and found Shobha lying dead beside him. Police say her husband appeared unaware of what had taken place. CCTV footage from the neighbourhood captured a man leaving the area on a motorcycle shortly after the incident. Officers traced the vehicle’s registration number using footage from nearby cameras.Investigators traced the scooter’s registration details, which led them to Shivakumar.