Ex-army man held for killing domestic help

HYDERABAD: A retired defence personnel, who allegedly killed his domestic help and stayed with the dead body for nearly six days, was taken into custody on Thursday. The accused sat beside the decomposed body, consumed liquor and had food in the same room, police said.According to police, 72- year-old Balchand Surana, a retired defence personnel used to stay alone in Bajrang Nagar under Bollarum police station limits. His wife and two sons live separately in the same locality.A 20-yearold girl, D Sarala was employed in Surana’s house as a maid servant nearly two years back by her father, Raju, who resides at Koukur in Alwal.Balchand reportedly assured to marry the girl and she stopped going to her house and stayed there.On the night of October 7 night, an argument took place between the duo over some issue and in a fit of rage Surana stabbed the maid servant to death.Instead of informing the death to neighbours or to her father, Surana kept the body in the room and stayed in the house. Meanwhile, locals grew suspicious after they did not notice Sarala and found foul smell emanating from the house.They tried to inquire about Sarala but Surana did not give any answer.According to police, Surana’s son came to the house on Wednesday night for his father. As he could not find his father in the living room, he walked into the house where he found Surana sitting and staring at the decomposed body of Sarala, while consuming liquor. Shocked, Surana’s son alerted locals who tried to come into the house but were prevented by Surana.Later when police tried to enter the room, Surana resisted their move but he was taken into custody. Police shifted the body for an autopsy. Police said they are yet to ascertain the reasons that led to the killing of Sarala. Bollarum police are investigating.