Jaipur, Aug 28 : The Rajasthan Police have solved the murder mystery surrounding the death of an elderly couple in Punavali village, under the Saira police station area. According to police, the crime was committed with the intention of robbing the couple.

The alleged mastermind was their neighbour, Kushal alias Khushi Paliwal.

Five accused have been arrested, while a sixth suspect has been detained. Police have also recovered the vehicle allegedly used in the crime.

According to District Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan, the deceased, Lahrilal Paliwal and his wife, Radhabai, lived in Punavali.

On the night of August 11, their son, Manohar Lal, who lives in Gujarat, spoke to Radhabai over the phone. When the couple could not be found at home the following day, relatives and others began searching for them. On August 14, their bodies were found inside a storage chest, or bedding box, kept in the house.

Police investigation revealed that Kushal had allegedly been planning the crime for around a year and a half. Police said he had taken loans from individuals and banks and was struggling to repay them. Facing financial difficulties, he allegedly decided to target the couple, knowing that they often lived alone and kept jewellery and cash at home. On August 9, Kushal allegedly arrived in Punavali with his associates Chandan Yadav, Vikas Kharwad, and Dilip Chaudhary.

The group reportedly conducted a recce of the coupleâ??s house and the surrounding area. Afterwards, they travelled via Gogunda towards Panariyo Madri. On their return, they stayed at a hotel near the Gogunda toll plaza, where police said they finalised their plan.

Kushal allegedly later involved his cousins, Kishan Paliwal and Jeevan Paliwal, in the scheme. On August 10, Kushal and Chandan reportedly visited Lahrilalâ??s house again.

As a neighbour, Kushal was allowed inside, and Radhabai served the two men a meal. During the visit, police said Kushal concealed a hammer that he found inside the house under his clothes. However, after noticing movement around the premises, the two men left. On the morning of August 11, Kushal and Chandan returned to the coupleâ??s house but left when they found the door locked. Later that night, Kishan and Jeevan allegedly arrived at the house on the pretext of showing a horoscope. Lahrilal was upstairs at the time.

According to police, the two men distracted Radhabai, allowing Kushal to enter the house and hide in the bathroom. Kushal later messaged Kishan and Jeevan, instructing them to leave. Late that night, Kushal allegedly opened the door and allowed Chandan, Dilip, and Vikas to enter.

Police said the accused then went upstairs and killed Lahrilal by striking him on the head with a hammer. Radhabai was allegedly strangled while she was sleeping in a downstairs room.

The accused then reportedly placed both bodies in plastic bags and hid them inside the storage compartment of a bed, covering them with bedding.

Using Radhabaiâ??s keys, they allegedly opened the wardrobe and stole jewellery and cash. Police said the accused also took the coupleâ??s mobile phones and later discarded them on a highway while the devices were still switched on.

Investigators believe the suspects attempted to stage the scene to make it appear that the couple had left the house voluntarily. During the investigation, police analysed call records and location data from the deceased coupleâ??s mobile phones and questioned local residents.

Technical analysis and other investigative leads eventually directed investigators towards a suspicious car. Police said the vehicle had been seen in the area on the nights of August 9-11 and again at around 5 a.m. on August 12. Its presence was also recorded at the Kherwara toll plaza.

Acting on information about the vehicle, police expanded their investigation and allegedly established the involvement of Kushal Paliwal and his associates.

The arrested accused were identified as Kushal alias Khushi Paliwal (26) of Punavali, currently residing in Surat; Chandan Yadav (27) of Samastipur, Bihar, currently residing in Surat; Dilip Chaudhary (30) of Surat; Kishan Paliwal (21) of Punavali and Jeevan Paliwal (21) of Punavali. Police have recovered the vehicle allegedly used in the crime, while a sixth accused has been detained.

/IANS