BENGALURU: A youth was arrested Wednesday for allegedly killing his neighbour to rob her jewellery and repay debts incurred through online gaming. Police said Gagan R, 21, a resident of Challaghatta village, stuffed her body into a trolley suitcase and dumped it in Ramohalli Thimmappana Lake, southwest Bengaluru.The deceased, Jayamma, 61, was a homemaker who lived with her son, Jai Kumar, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren in the same neighbourhood. A senior officer said Jayamma was familiar with Gagan’s family and would frequently visit their house to interact with his mother, and sometimes they exchanged small favours like borrowing vegetables or groceries.Gagan earlier worked at a fuel station but lost his job. Police said he suffered financial losses in online gaming and accumulated significant debts. Unable to repay the money, he allegedly began eyeing the gold jewellery worn by Jayamma and hatched a plan to steal it.On July 15, Jayamma visited Gagan’s house while he was alone at home. While having a conversation, he strangled Jayamma and stole her mangalya chain, gold bangles, earrings and a ring, police said.To conceal the crime, he stuffed Jayamma’s body into a red trolley suitcase and transported it on his motorcycle in daylight to dispose of the body before his family members returned home. He rode to Ramohalli Lake and dumped the suitcase into the water before returning home, police said.As repeated searches for Jayamma among relatives and acquaintances yielded no clues, her son approached Kumbalagodu police on July 16.On July 21, police were alerted after the suitcase, with part of a body and hand visible, was found floating in the lake. A murder case was registered, and the police zeroed in on Gagan based on technical clues.Deputy commissioner of police (south-west) Anitha B Haddannavar said, “It is a murder-for-gain case… A team is working to recover the stolen gold jewellery.”
