Extra teacup, CCTV trail help Junagadh police crack woman’s murder

Rajkot: A 39-year-old man was arrested by the Junagadh local crime branch on Saturday for allegedly murdering a 59-year-old woman in the Joshipara area of Junagadh city, with investigators saying a trail of clues — including an extra teacup and CCTV footage — helped crack the case.

The body of Sunita Raija was found with her throat slit at her residence on the evening of May 12. Police have arrested Suresh alias Kano Waghvani, a friend of the victim’s son Dilip Raija and a former neighbour of the deceased, in connection with the murder.

Junagadh SP Subodh Odedra said senior police officials who visited the crime scene suspected that the killer was known to the victim as there were no signs of resistance or forced entry. Multiple teams, including the Junagadh City B Division Police and the local crime branch, were formed to investigate the case.

Police scanned CCTV footage from areas surrounding the victim’s house and even prepared an aerial route map using drones to identify possible escape routes. Investigators also questioned several persons seen near the residence around the time of the murder.

A breakthrough came when local crime branch police inspector Krunal Patel interrogated Waghvani. Initially denying involvement, he later allegedly confessed to the crime.

According to police, Waghvani had suffered heavy financial losses in business and stock market futures and options trading, including losses of around Rs 3.75 lakh in recent months. On the day of the incident, he allegedly approached Sunita seeking financial help. Police said Sunita, who earlier worked as a small-scale money lender, asked him to provide valuables or jewellery as security for the loan. An argument reportedly broke out when he failed to do so, following which he allegedly attacked her with a knife.

Investigators said one of the key clues was the discovery of three teacups in the kitchen. Police said Sunita and her son had tea together shortly before the incident, while the housemaid had left earlier in the afternoon. The presence of a third cup suggested that another person, likely someone familiar to the victim, had visited the house.

Police also found CCTV footage showing Waghvani moving around the victim’s residence around the time of the murder.

In a bid to avoid suspicion, the accused allegedly remained close to the grieving family after the murder. Police said he even purchased items required for Sunita’s last rites, attended funeral ceremonies and closely monitored the progress of the investigation.

Police said Waghvani, who currently runs a tiffin service business, will be produced before a court to seek remand. Efforts are underway to recover the weapon used in the crime.