Bhilwara: Tonk police on Wednesday solved the murder of an elderly woman whose body was discovered in pieces at a garbage dumping site in the Mehndawas police station area seven days ago. The accused, 58-year-old Rasal Devi, was arrested, and the axe used in the killing was recovered. Police also retrieved silver ornaments allegedly stolen after the victim's hands and feet were severed.
Financial motive behind murder
According to police, Rasal Devi committed the murder due to financial hardship and to repay debts. The victim, identified as 70-year-old Harbai, wife of Kesra Gurjar, lived alone in a hut in Lawadar village.
Investigation details
Tonk SP Roshan Meena stated that police received information late on the night of June 11 about human remains at a garbage site behind the Lawadar Gram Panchayat building. Senior officers arrived at the scene, and an FSL team collected body parts, clothes, plastic pieces, sacks, cord, keys, and other evidence. The deceased was identified three days later. A case was registered against unknown persons under relevant legal sections, and multiple teams were formed. Police conducted village-wide searches, scanned CCTV footage, and questioned relatives and suspects.
How the crime unfolded
Police revealed that Rasal Devi, who lived nearby, allegedly targeted the silver ornaments worn by Harbai. On June 9 afternoon, Rasal called Harbai to her house under the pretext of offering tea and water. Once inside, she struck Harbai on the head with an axe, killing her instantly. The accused then severed the victim's hands and feet with the same axe, removed the silver bangles, packed the body in plastic and a sack, and dumped it at the garbage site behind the Gram Panchayat building. Rasal Devi is currently being interrogated further.
