In a very shocking and bizarre incident from Delhi, a 48-year-old woman has been arrested for killing her bedridden mother-in-law on April 28 by hitting her with a frying pan and a pressure cooker in southwest Delhi. She had 14 injuries on her body and was hit over a dozen times on her head and face.
Sarmistha Som (daughter in law) was allegedly exasperated at having to take care of her 86-year-old mother-in-law, Hashi Som. Her relationship with her husband had soured over the issue. After deciding to kill her mother-in-law, she made it appear like she had fallen and sustained injuries.
But the post-mortem report and footage from a table camera installed in the house exposed her lie.
Sharmishtha lives with her husband, Surjeet Som, 51, and their 16-year-old daughter at Swastik Residency in Neb Sarai. Her mother-in-law lived in Kolkata but since she was old and couldn’t walk, she required care. Therefore , her son Surjeet brought her to Delhi in March last year. Initially, she lived with the family, but on Sharmishtha’s constant protests, Surjeet moved her to a rented one-room flat opposite his house last October.
He installed a CCTV camera on the bedside table and monitored the feed on his mobile phone. On the day of murder, he was occupied with work and couldn’t check the feedback. He only discovered his mother’s body after reaching home.
Surjeet and Sharmistha’s daughter informed the cops that relations between her mother and grandmother were not cordial. The cops found the camera, but not the video storage. Surjeet then handed over the memory card of the CCTV camera that he had taken out. The footage showed that at 10.30am on April 28, Sharmishtha entered her mother-in-law’s flat with a pressure cooker and pan. Sounds of screams and of blows being inflicted on the aged woman could be heard. Sharmishtha is later seen cleaning the cooker and pan with a cloth.
“The autopsy report suggests 14 injuries on the victim’s head. The cause of death was haemorrhagic shock as a result of ante-mortem injuries caused by blunt force impact on the head, right hand, left upper limb and left lower limb,” said a police officer.
“Sharmishtha was arrested and an FIR for murder registered. The son’s involvement has been ruled out,” the officer further added.
