Cops: Robbery may not be only motive behind Bartwal murder

Two days after the sensational murder of Sarojini Bartwal, 78, at her Mayur Vihar’s residence, investigators have narrowed down their investigation to five persons. Till now, the police have questioned at least 30 persons in the case.

Two days after the sensational murder of Sarojini Bartwal, 78, at her Mayur Vihar’s residence, investigators have narrowed down their investigation to five persons. Till now, the police have questioned at least 30 persons in the case.

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Though the police refused to divulge any details about the five suspects, they said all of them were known to the victim and had access to her house.

Since nothing besides two gold rings, two gold bangles and a gold chain — worn by Bartwal — were robbed by the killers, investigators are of the opinion that there could be other motives behind the murder.

The revelation of the fact that Bartwal she was killed between 12 and 3pm on Monday has helped investigators focus their probe on establishing the identities of those who visited the house during those three hours.

“The killer was by and large associated with the victim and had made a friendly entry into the house. A window of her flat that she shut every evening before locking the main gate and door, was left open. Some neighbours noticed the open window at night, but assumed that Bartwal forgot to shut the window before sleeping,” the senior officer said.

He added that the investigation so far suggests that the killers were not more than two in number.

“Her son, Hemendra Bartwal, had called her at 9.30pm, but found her phone switched off. In all probability, her phone was switched off by the killer,” added the officer.

After questioning the maids and security guards of all 11 entry-exit gates of the residential colony, investigators have prepared a list of people who frequent the locality. Local vendors who came to the locality are also being questioned to ascertain whether they saw somebody entering Bartwal’s house on Monday.

Bartwal was found murdered at her Mayur Vihar flat on Tuesday at around 11 am.