Renowned perfume specialist Monica Ghurde found dead at home in Sangolda
Team Herald
SANGOLDA : She was on the fast track to fame and recognition as one of India’s premier perfume specialists. At 39, she had her life brutally cut shot, and was found without any clothes, save an inner upper garment, the hands of her dead body tied to her bed posts at her rented apartment in Sangolda. This smells of not just a cold blooded murder, but possibly by someone who knew her.
Her neighbours alarmed at her not responding to calls, entered the house with a spare key kept with them to discover her corpse on the bed. She lived alone, and was estranged from her photographer husband, several years older.
The kitchen sink had two unwashed plates, suggesting the presence of one more person.
The Saligao police who are investigating the death have registered a murder case and suspect rape. Police have ruled out the possibility of robbery and said the rape angle will be confirmed after post-mortem on the body which is being conducted at Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim.
“We received information about the incident last night (Thursday) at 11.30 pm. Later the team of police found her body in a naked condition on a bed in the flat,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Vimal Anand Gupta said.
Ghurde, a nationally famed perfume specialist, had been living in a rented three bedroom flat in Sapna Raj Valley, Sangolda, since July this year. She had shifted there from adjoining Porvorim where she had lived in the Defence colony.
Gupta said the body was found with her hands tied to the back of the bed, while her torso was naked. He said her clothes were on the bed. “We are not ruling out the possibility of rape but the layout indicates that she was strangulated to death as rest of the things appear intact,” the DIG said.
He said that the killer must have been known to Ghurde as robbery has been ruled out and entry into the flat was not by the force. “The layout looked undisturbed, we have not come to any conclusion of theft as we have checked with his brother who has said the things are intact,” Gupta said.
He said police teams have been sent in different directions based on leads which they have gathered in the day-long investigation.
Ghurde (39) is a native of Nagpur-Maharashtra and was married to Bharat Ram Amrutam (59) who is a native of Tamil Nadu. According to information they met in Mumbai and started living in Chennai where both were working for their own private firm. Amrutam is a well-known professional photographer and Ghurde initially worked with him as a photographer.
In 2011 they shifted to Goa and in the last one year the relationship had got estranged and Ghurde had begun to live independently.
According to the neighbours, Monica was working on perfume research and experiments from her flat and she visited a factory in Pilerne Industrial Estate to use a lab when needed.
On Friday a police team was stationed in the flat where the murder took place carrying out investigations. Goa Police on Thursday night had checked the place with sniffer dogs but got no leads.
On Friday morning a team of Goa Police officers, including Saligao Police Inspector Rajesh Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mahesh Gaonkar, North Goa Superintendent of Police Umesh Gaonkar, was present along with the forensic science team from Verna.
Besides Gupta, Director General of Police (DGP) Muktesh Chander also visited the site of offence on Friday afternoon.
Police have interrogated Ghurde’s husband who was present with the police throughout the day along with her brother.
Gupta said Ghurde was experimenting to manufacture new perfumes and wanted to establish her own brand. Her father was a judge in Maharashtra, who is no more.
Night Club owner saw Monica at CCD Porvorim at noon, with Saligao sarpanch on Wed
Sarpanch Eknath Oraskar recounts she entered CCD and met a middle-aged man; both walked out shortly after; Ghurde was ‘tensed and disturbed’
Team Herald
PORVORIM: In what could become a very crucial lead in the murder, nightclub owner and a popular man on Goa’s page 3 party circuit Nandan Kudchadkar, met Monica Ghurde, by chance at Café Coffee Day Porvorim, on the NH 17 highway on Wednesday afternoon, between 12 and 1, less than an hour before she was seen coming back to her apartment by the security guard. According to the guard she did not leave the apartment after that.
Kudchadkar told Herald, “She walked in wearing a white top and black trousers and I greeted her and asked her about her husband. She informed that she had separated from him. She seemed to be in a hurry.”
Importantly, Saligao Sarpanch Eknath Oraskar, who was with Kudchadkar at the same time, told Herald late Friday night, “She walked in and also met a middle-aged man, slightly balding, for a brief while. She was extremely tensed and was not focusing on any conversation and kept on repeating that she was busy. She then left the place and so did the man.”
Saligao police should pursue this lead and examine CCTV footage of the outlet to know more.
65-year-old found dead in Curchorem
Team Herald
CURCHOREM: A 65-year-old lady from Madhegal, Kakoda-Curchorem was found murdered on Friday morning. Police suspect she was strangulated and her house robbed as a TV and cash are missing.
According to police sources, Shobha Arvind Karmali, was alone in her bungalow situated beside the main Curchorem-Sanguem road, when the murder took place.
As per available information Karmali called her husband at around 9 am and asked him to send some fish. Police believe that it is possible that she was sitting in the hall with the doors open when the intruder entered, as she never used to open the door for any unknown person.
According to police the incident must have taken place between 9.15 and 10 am. The intruders are believed to have pounced upon the lady and placed brown packing tape on her mouth to keep her from shouting.
As per information given to police their maid entered through the front door as the back door, through which she usually entered, was locked. When she entered through the front door, she found the woman on the floor with packing tape on her mouth. She immediately informed a relative residing nearby who in turn called the doctor who declared her dead.
Police on inquiry learnt that the intruders took about Rs 1.20 lakh in cash and one LCD TV. Gold ornaments that Karmali was wearing were not touched.
South Goa SP Shekhar Prabhudessai, Curchorem PI Ravidra Dessai and Quepem DYSP Sammy Tavares visited the spot. Speaking to media persons Tavares said the police are investigating all angles.
Later sniffer dogs and finger print experts were pressed into service and after the inquest panchanama the body was sent to GMC, Bambolim for post-mortem.
According to Dr Atchut Kudchadkar who was the family doctor, Karmali was a heart patient, but death was caused due to strangulation as the tape was tied tightly around her neck. “It is a clear case of cold-blooded murder.” Kudchadkar said.
Local MLA Nilesh Cabral, who visited the site said police should inquire details of the tenants. Cabral said that if the case is not solved at the earliest, it will be handed over to higher authorities.
