The police claimed to have cracked the murder case of a 43-year-old specially abled woman, revealing that the killer was the victim’s immediate neighbour.

The victim, identified as Neetu Kalra, wife of government school teacher Pradeep Kalra, was found murdered with sharp-edged weapons on Monday afternoon at her residence in Mohalla Janian area of Faridkot city.

Her husband had left for duty around 7.30 am, while their 17-year-old and 10-year-old daughters had gone to school. The incident came to light around 2.10 pm when Pradeep Kalra returned from work. As per their daily routine, Neetu would usually open the main gate. When there was no response despite repeated knocking, Pradeep called his sister-in-law, and a neighbour for assistance. Upon entering the house, they discovered Neetu’s blood-soaked body under a bed.

SP (Investigations) Jogeshwar Singh Goraya said the accused had been identified as Prem Chand.

The victim’s husband said Prem Chand frequently visited their house and had a history of petty thefts. Another neighbour, Bhushan Kumar, informed the police that he had seen Prem Chand hurriedly leaving the Kalra residence around noon. — TNS