Chennai: B Tech graduate arrested for doctor Sathya’s murder

The accused, Debanath Harindam, a native of Agartala in Tripura, also resided in the same apartment block along with his doctor brother who works at a multi-specialty hospital in the city, police said. He was a student of a private university in Maduravoyal and had taken his final exams in May this year.

“He entered the apartment to steal her mobile phone as she usually keeps the door open after coming back from her night shift. As the victim raised an alarm after seeing the youngster, he overpowered her and strangled her before stabbing her to death,” an investigating officer said.

The victim, Dr J. Sathya, a native of Perambalur pursuing first year MS in obstetrics and Gynecology at the Kilpauk Medical college, was sharing the accommodation with her college senior.

On Thursday afternoon, Dr Sangeetha, the victim’s roommate, found her dead in the apartment after which cops were alerted. Investigations led the cops to the engineering graduate who was picked up on Sunday.

According to a senior police officer, Debanath initially tried to enter the flat around 9 am but couldn’t enter as the door was locked. He had tried again about an hour later after which he gained entry into the house.

“The victim was sleeping at that time and the accused tried to sneak out with her Micromax mobile phone when she woke up and raised an alarm. After overpowering her, he smothered her with a pillow and later strangulated her. After she swooned, he stabbed thrice on her neck, killing her,” the senior police officer added.

Debanath later sold the mobile phone at a shop in Koyambedu, which helped the cops in nailing him.

“He sold the phone for a mere Rs 1,200 which raised suspicion in the shopkeeper who took a picture of the boy in his mobile phone,” an officer said.

When the phone became active on Saturday, we traced the user and the shop where he bought it after which we nailed the boy, police added. Sathya’s husband, Dr Eshu is also a doctor and lives in their native Perambalur town with their two children.