3 held for murder of girl, grandmom

HYDERABAD: Police on Friday solved the mystery behind the murder of an elderly woman and her granddaughter that took place nearly two weeks back.Three persons involved in the killings were arrested and stolen property recovered from them.Police said the ten-yearold girl was murdered as she witnessed the killing of her grandmother.G Bhavani (65) and N Pravallika (10) were found dead in their flat in Shiva Sai Apartments at Chikkadpally on September 16 by the owner of the house.Their bodies were found in a highly decomposed state.Investigating into the case, police found that Bhavani used to indulge in immoral trafficking of women and cases have been registered against her under Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act in various city police stations.A 27-year-old person from Parsigutta, Harish K Chutke used to frequent Bhavani’s flat and the elderly woman used to arrange women for him.“Harish who has financial problems planned to kill Bhavani believing she was in possession of cash and gold.Harish’s wife, Kumari and a sex worker Lakshmi also helped in his plan to kill the woman,’’ Central Zone deputy commissioner of police Akun Sabharwal said.The trio planned to kill the woman on September 13 and the same was executed in the night. “Harish strangled Bhavani to death and later banged her head against the floor. As Pravallika was also present in the house and witnessed the killing, the two accused women smothered her to death,” Akun Sabharwal said.The trio later robbed gold ornaments and cash of Rs. 20,000 and fled away.The three accused were arrested on Friday and the entire stolen property recovered.