Mohali: Police have made a breakthrough in the robbery-cum-murder of Ashok Kumari, the 66-year-old wife of senior advocate and former additional advocate general of Punjab Krishna Kumar Goyal. Investigators have traced the suspects’ escape route up to the Chandigarh railway station, while the domestic help present in the house at the time of the crime is now under intense scrutiny for alleged links to the attackers.
According to police, the assailants entered the Goyal residence in the upscale Phase-5 area around 11.40 pm on the intervening night of December 29 and 30, and left at about 1.26 am. CCTV footage shows the two suspects walking from the house towards Madanpura Crossing, then proceeding on foot to the Chandigarh border near the furniture market crossing, where they hired an auto-rickshaw.
Further analysis of surveillance footage revealed that the auto dropped them at the Chandigarh railway station, where they were later seen entering the premises. Police confirmed the duo boarded a train, though details have been withheld as the investigation continues.
Senior Superintendent of Police Harmandeep Singh Hans said the role of the domestic servant had become highly suspicious. “The servant has confessed to having prior knowledge of the robbers. His statements during custodial interrogation have been contradictory, and evidence suggests he had links with the accused,” the SSP said, adding that multiple teams are working round the clock to arrest the absconding suspects.
Police said the family reported that ₹8.5 lakh in cash and about five to six tolas of gold jewellery, kept in a bed box, were missing — believed to be the motive behind the crime. Ashok Kumari was found strangled to death in her bedroom in what investigators described as a well-planned robbery. The assailants appeared to know that other family members were away.
The victim’s husband and daughter had left for Muscat two days earlier to visit the elder daughter, a doctor. At the time of the incident, the elderly woman was alone at home with only the domestic help present. The crime came to light after neighbours and relatives raised an alarm.
Police said the investigation is focusing on the servant’s alleged role, the suspects’ movements after the crime and any assistance they may have received. More arrests are expected as the probe progresses.
