Indian-origin woman murdered in student flat in London
London(PTI): Scotland Yard have arrested a Tunisian national on suspicion of the murder and assault of a British woman of Indian origin in her student accommodation in London.
Sabita Thanwani, a 19-year-old British national, was found with serious injuries to her neck at Arbour House student flats in Clerkenwell area of London on Saturday.
The Metropolitan Police issued an urgent appeal for a 22-year-old man, Maher Maaroufe, who they said had been in a relationship with Thanwani. The wanted suspect was eventually arrested by officers on Sunday around the same area of Clerkenwell where the victim's body was discovered a day before.
I would like to thank everyone for publicising and sharing our appeal to trace Maaroufe, said Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, from the Met Police Specialist Crime unit who is leading the investigation.
Sabita's family have been updated with this development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers. Our deepest condolences are with them. I would ask everyone to respect their privacy at this indescribably devastating time for them as they come to terms with Sabita's murder, she said.
Earlier, the Met Police had said that although formal identification remains pending, Thanwani's family was informed ahead of a special post-mortem examination to be arranged in due course.
Maaroufe had been in a relationship with Sabita but he was not a student. He is a Tunisian national of no fixed address, said Detective Bradley, as part of a public appeal in the case.
In a direct appeal to the suspect, she added: I am also appealing, once again, for Maher Maaroufe to attend a police station immediately. Maher I am making this appeal directly to you: if you see this, please go to the nearest police station. It is important that we speak with you.
Thanwani was studying at City, University of London, and was reportedly with Maaroufe on Friday.
As this remains an ongoing police incident, we are unable to comment on their investigation, said a spokesperson for Unite Students, which operates the Arbour House student accommodation.
Our priority at this time is the safety and wellbeing of students at Arbour House. We are working closely with the police and City, University of London, the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for City, University of London also said it was working closely with Unite Students.
As a university, we will do everything we can to support our students and staff and we will continue to fully support the police with their investigation, a university spokesperson said.
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Belagavi youth’s murder case projected as road accident, cracked in Uttara Kannada; Three arrested
Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.
Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.
The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.
However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.
Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.
Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.
Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.
SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.
