A 23-year-old man was arrested in Patna, Bihar on charges of committing a murder of a 36-year-old woman in Ramanathapuram district.

According to police, following a complaint from some neighbours that a foul smell emanated from a dwelling, the Kenikarai police visited. As the door was locked from outside, they broke open the door and found a body of a woman in a highly decomposed state. The body was sent for post-mortem to the Government Hospital.

Preliminary inquiries revealed that the victim was identified as Aparna, 38, daughter of Shyam Sunderlal of Patna. A native of Bihar, she lived in Transport Nagar here for about two years. She was a spinster and was engaged in a contract business with an oil company.

Superintendent of Police G Chandeesh formed four special teams headed by DSP Sugumar.

It is believed that Aparna’s relative Rithik (23) had come here and stayed with her.

Examination of the CCTV cameras and a few footages showed the movement of the suspect, identified as Rithik. As the needle of suspicion grew stronger, a special team was despatched to Bihar two days ago.

Superintendent of Police G Chandeesh took the help of the Bihar police and monitored the progress. It is said that the team secured the suspect in a swift operation.

Based on the confession from Rithik, the police said that he had come to Ramanathapuram district and stayed with Aparna for about a fortnight. It is said that there was money transaction between them and could have possibly led to quarrel and that he could have murdered. After committing the grave crime, he had fled to his home on May 3.

The police investigations also suggested that there were strangulation marks around the neck of the victim.

The police were informed by the accused that he had committed the grave crime and left for his home town on May 3. As there was no food for the pet, the animal too may have died of starvation, probe suggested.

The police team is likely to bring the accused to Ramanathapuram on a transit warrant and produce before the court for judicial custody. Further investigation was on.