Woman and 8-year-old daughter strangled to death over ₹60,000 loan dispute

 

By Sumesh Rajan | November 11, 2025

Kota, Rajasthan, INDIA: In a shocking double murder that has left the Kota community reeling, a 32-year-old woman and her 8-year-old daughter were found strangled to death in their rented home in the Rojadi area under RK Puram police station limits on Friday November 7 night. Police have arrested two suspects — including a close relative of the victim — while a third accused remains absconding.

The victims have been identified as Jyoti Vaishnav (32) and her daughter Palak (8). According to police, the key accused, Pradeep Vaishnav (30), a resident of Khanpur in Jhalawar district, conspired with two friends to kill Jyoti after she allegedly refused to repay a ₹60,000 loan she had borrowed a few months earlier.

Jyoti’s one-and-a-half-year-old son was found semi-conscious in his cradle when the police arrived at the crime scene.

Murder and Investigation

Police said Pradeep, who was familiar with Jyoti’s daily routine, visited her house with his two accomplices — Bharat Sahariya (20) and Raju alias Mamu — shortly after her husband left for work. Jyoti served them tea and began preparing rotis in the kitchen when the assailants attacked her. They strangled her with her chunni.

Moments later, Palak returned home from school and witnessed the crime. When she began screaming, the accused allegedly strangled her as well. The men then looted Jyoti’s gold earrings, mangalsutra, and other valuables before fleeing the scene.

Following an intensive investigation involving CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and technical surveillance, police teams traced and arrested Pradeep and Bharat from the Mukundera forest area. The third accused, Raju alias Mamu, remains on the run.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Tejashwini Gautam said that Pradeep attempted to escape by jumping over a wall during his arrest but fractured his leg in the process. He later confessed to his role in the crime during interrogation.

Swift Police Action

SP Gautam commended the 16 dedicated police teams for solving the case within 48 hours of the murder. “The arrests were made possible through a combination of CCTV analysis, forensic inputs, and witness accounts,” she said, adding that efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspect.

Rising Crime in Kota

The gruesome murders have once again drawn attention to the increasing cases of violent crime in Kota, including murders, attempted murders, and robberies often linked to financial disputes and personal enmities.

Police officials acknowledge that such incidents are eroding public trust and creating fear among residents. They stress that while law enforcement agencies are making prompt arrests, deeper socio-economic challenges — including rising debt and unemployment — continue to fuel such crimes.

Authorities have called for stronger community engagement and public awareness to prevent financial conflicts from escalating into violence.

As the investigation continues, police say they are determined to ensure swift justice for Jyoti and her daughter — victims of a brutal crime rooted in financial desperation and betrayal.