The police have finally cracked the murder case of the 40-year-old widow from Aniyadri village of Pavi Jetpur taluka in Vadodara district by arresting two of the three accused, on the basis of the testimony of the victim’s mother-in-law. The arrested have been identified as Jehmat Rathwa and his son Arvind. The other accused, Himmat Rathwa, is absconding.

Earlier on July 5, the Pavi Jetpur police had picked up Jehmat, Himmat (both brothers-in-law of victim Kapila) and Arvind, for questioning.

“But, we had to release them, as there was no proof and no sign of the body,” said Sub-Inspector L J Vaghela. The decomposed body of Kapila Rathwa was found in a dried up channel of Orsang river near the village after a four days search.

Vaghela added: “We found the body in Orsang river on July 8.”

The police said, after Kapila’s husband Rehmat died, she accused Jehmat and Himmat of trying to encroach upon her land.

“The dispute started between the womenfolk of the family, but soon the male members got involved. Villagers also knew about the issue and they have said that Jehmat and Arvind might have murdered Kapila, as on June 28, the day Kapila went missing; there was a big fight between Jehmat, Himmat and Kapila,” Vaghela said.

He added: “Besides, Sukhi (mother-in-law of Kapila), who stayed with one of the accused and had overheard the conversation between her sons, testified that her sons could have murdered Kapila. Later on the basis of the complaint filed by the victim’s brother, Bhailal Rathwa, we arrested the father and son duo.”