Police have arrested a railway locomotive pilot for murdering an elderly woman in Tirupati

Superintendent of Police L. Subbarayudu and other officers inspect items seized from an accused in the murder of an elderly woman in Tirupati on Sunday. | Photo credit: KV POORNACHANDRA KUMAR

Police have arrested a railway locomotive pilot in connection with the alleged murder of an elderly woman in Tirupati.

On July 14, 69-year-old M. Jyothi was allegedly found murdered at her home in Sai Nagar in Tirupati district. According to the police, the accused killed Jyothi in an attempt to steal 90 grams of gold jewelery and ₹47,000 in cash from her.

When the police came to know about the incident, they swung into action and used scientific technology to collect evidence which allegedly pointed to Pasam Rupesh Kumar (36), who hails from Gudipallipadu in Nellore Rural Mandal and works as a railway locomotive pilot at Krishnapatnam station.

According to the police, Rupesh allegedly planned to rob the elderly woman to clear his debts. Over time, he gained her trust, used that association to gain access to her residence and eventually killed her before fleeing with the stolen items, police said.

Meanwhile, in an apparent attempt to conceal his identity, Rupesh stole his colleague’s two-wheeler, forged the registration plate and disguised himself as a woman in a burqa, wearing a mask and helmet while riding to Tirupati and back to Krishnapatnam.

“However, he could not hide the digital trail, CCTV footage and surveillance cameras en route to the woman’s residence, which helped us nab him,” Superintendent of Police (SP) L. Subbarayudu said while addressing a media conference here on Sunday.

Police nabbed the culprit and recovered ornaments worth ₹12 lakh from his possession.

Published – 26 Jul 2026 20:05 IST