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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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
