Mumbai Crime: Couple booked for harassing house help who allegedly died by suicide

The Bandra police have booked a couple for harassing their househelp, who allegedly jumped to her death from their fifth-floor flat at Beach View earlier this month. They have arrested the 40-year-old husband, while his wife is undergoing treatment at a hospital. The deceased's family has alleged foul play.

Police said they are now investigating whether Sarita Kappu's death was suicide, accident or murder.

They arrested Pankaj Indar Kumar on Saturday morning, but not his wife Priyanka Pankaj Kumar as she is hospitalised. He has been remanded in police custody till March 28.

Beach View society in Bandra West where Sarita Kappu died; Deceased's husband Ajit Kappu (left) and her uncle Jablun Lakda

The deceased's family alleged that the couple harassed her and that she could not have killed herself.

Speaking with mid-day, Senior Inspector Rajesh Devare of Bandra police station said, "Something went wrong at the house because of which Sarita died. She came to Mumbai for work, and we have found no reason for suicide. We are currently probing whether she died by suicide or fell down accidentally or was killed. We found out that the couple used to harass Sarita. It's a mysterious death and we are investigating it."

On March 5, Sarita, 33, was found in a pool of blood at Beach View society in Bandra West. She worked at Flat no. 502, the residence of the Kumars, and also lived with them.

Sarita, a resident of Chhattisgarh, is survived by her husband Ajit Kappu and their three children. Police said the Kappus had taken a loan of R10,000 in their village and were unable to pay the dues to COVID-19 lockdown. To earn money and repay the loan, Sarita came to Mumbai and Ajit went to Goa to work at a cashew factory.

Her uncle Jablun Lakda said, "My niece was in a financial crisis and came to Mumbai for work. I dropped her off at Beach View on February 28. She had got a job at Kumars' flat and was staying with them. But as Pankaj slept in the hall, she was not feeling comfortable.
So I called Priyanka and requested that they relieve Sarita of her duties, but she refused saying there was a lot of work at home. On March 5, the couple decided they would let Sarita go, but she was found dead the same day. It's not a suicide. We suspect the couple killed my niece."

Ajit said, "We took out a loan for a relative's wedding, but were unable to pay back. My wife came to Mumbai to earn money, not to kill herself. The couple is responsible for my wife's death. I want justice."

March 5
Day Sarita Kappu was found dead