Murder of Arya Vaidya Pharmacy family member: Police intensify search for Nepalese maid and accomplices

COIMBATORE: Police have intensified the search for a Nepalese domestic worker suspected of being involved in the murder of Kasturi G. Kutty (83), the daughter of P. V. Rama Variar. Investigators believe the housemaid, Surja Roke, played a key role in the crime. Coimbatore police have obtained CCTV footage showing Surja Roke and four others jumping over the compound wall of the house carrying a bag. Police suspect that the murder occurred during a robbery. A two-sovereign gold chain worn by Kasturi is reported missing.

Kasturi was found dead on Friday morning at her flat in Parson Apartment on Nanjundapuram Road in Coimbatore. Her body was found lying on the bed with her hands and legs tied and her mouth sealed with tape. She was living with her son, Dr Ramkumar Kutty, who was on a foreign trip at the time. The housemaid Surja was the only person staying with Kasturi then. Surja had been hired through an agency a few months ago.

The incident came to light after Kasturi’s daughter, who lives in TVH Nagar, tried to call her on Friday morning but received no response. She then informed the neighbours, who went to the flat and discovered the situation.

Police from the Ramanathapuram station reached the spot and began the investigation. The probe is being led by Deputy Commissioner Karthikeyan and Assistant Commissioner Vasantharaj. A six-member special police team has been formed to investigate the case.

Kasturi’s husband was the late Gopalan Kutty, a former director of Arya Vaidya Pharmacy. Her children are Dr Ramkumar Kutty (director of Arya Vaidya Pharmacy), Sujatha and Susheela.

Surja opened door for assailants CCTV footage showed that three people arrived at the flat around 12:15 am. They left the apartment within about 30 minutes. The footage clearly shows Surja opening the door for them. Police also recovered Surja’s mobile phone near the house. Officers believe it may have fallen while the suspects were jumping over the compound wall. Investigators found that the cupboards in the house had been broken open, strengthening the suspicion that the murder happened during a robbery.