Police said 38-year-old Sagar Meena murdered 70-year-old Sarla Dhanetwal, a retired teacher living alone in Meera Kuti, Laxmanpura, around 12:30 am between Tuesday and Wednesday. He was detained near the Jhabua border and was being brought to Ratlam when the escape attempt took place.

According to officials, the incident occurred between Raoti and Rani Singh when Sagar asked to stop the vehicle to use the toilet. As the team halted, he pushed DD Nagar Station In-charge Anurag Yadav, grabbed his pistol, and tried to run. Industrial Area TI Satyendra Raghuvanshi fired in self-defence, injuring him in the left leg. TI Yadav was also hurt during the scuffle. Both were taken to Ratlam Medical College, where doctors removed the bullet from the accused’s leg.

Maid and Daughter Behind Conspiracy

Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar said the murder plot was orchestrated by the victim’s maid Leela Damor and her daughter Mona, who is a close acquaintance of Sagar. Investigators said the duo informed him that the elderly teacher lived alone and kept jewellery and cash at home.

Police detained Leela and Mona after noticing inconsistencies in their statements. Under sustained questioning, they named Sagar as the attacker, following which an SIT traced and arrested him.

Four Days of Reconnaissance

Preliminary findings show the accused had been surveying the house for four days. On Monday morning, he climbed onto the terrace using an external staircase and hid near the back stairs. As the victim stepped into the bathroom from the kitchen, he attacked her from behind and slit her throat.

Sagar, who hawks goods on trains and has no permanent residence, reportedly avoids using mobile phones to evade police. Several theft cases are already registered against him.

Dhanetwal’s body was discovered on Monday morning when neighbours alerted police after she failed to leave for a wedding in Ujjain. The IG later visited the scene, and a ₹10,000 reward was announced for information leading to the killer.