A 95-year-old woman, Indravati, mother of IPS officer Ashutosh Mishra, in Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, was found dead in her home. Police are investigating her death and suspect foul play.
According to initial evidence, the elderly woman lived alone in the house. Her death was initially thought to be a medical emergency, and a heart attack was thought to be one of those possibilities. But when the body was examined, the police began to investigate the report as a possible murder.
Caretaker discovered the body
The incident came to light when the woman’s caretaker arrived at the residence in the morning. She found Indravati dead inside the house and informed the authorities.
Police teams arrived at the scene and began investigating the circumstances of the death. During the first investigation, officers found that jewellery belonging to the elderly woman was missing from the house, said police sources.
At the same time, the missing jewellery is an important part of the investigation, as it is to be questioned whether the death was due to a robbery or if the theft was carried out after the crime.
Suspicion after examination of the body
The situation was more suspicious when investigators looked at the body more closely. The woman was found with cloth stuffed into her mouth, and there were indications that her neck may have been compressed, the detective said.
These findings led investigators to move away from the initial possibility of a natural death and consider the possibility that the elderly woman could have been attacked by intruders.
But the cause of death has not yet been established. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. The cause and manner of death are likely to be proven through the autopsy.
Investigators will also examine if the injuries or other findings on the body are consistent with an assault.
Jewellery reportedly missing
The disappearance of jewellery from the home has added another dimension to the case. Police are investigating the possibility that thieves entered the house and attacked the elderly woman during the alleged robbery.
At the same time, investigators are looking at multiple angles and have not publicly ruled out other possibilities.
Police will then examine the house for signs of forced entry, fingerprints, footprints and other forensic evidence. CCTV footage from the surrounding area, if available, could also help investigators establish whether anyone entered or left the premises around the suspected time of the incident.
IPS officer posted in Lucknow
The deceased woman was the mother of IPS officer Ashutosh Mishra, who is serving as an SP in the Police Bhawan Kalyan in Lucknow.
The fact that the victim was the mother of a senior police officer has drawn much attention to the case. Investigators are going to try and determine the sequence of events and who did it, if it is a criminal act.
Police investigating multiple angles
Police officials are looking into several possible angles in the case. These may include a suspected robbery, an attack by unidentified intruders, and other circumstances surrounding the woman's death.
The post-mortem report is likely to be the main piece of evidence for determining whether the elderly woman died from natural causes or suffered fatal injuries during an assault.
Investigators will also examine the movements of people who entered the property, the timing of the caretaker's arrival, the missing jewellery, and any suspicious activity reported in the neighbourhood.
Forensic teams may collect evidence from the home as part of the investigation. Police are also expected to question those who may have information about the victim's routine, visitors and security arrangements.
At present, the case is still under investigation, and the final cause of death will depend on the post-mortem findings and other evidence gathered by the police.
