Woman found murdered near Tithal

SURAT: Body of a 24-year-old woman was found near Tithal beach in Valsad on Friday. Residents of Tithal village had alerted the police about the body which was lying in bushes near the beach. The neck of the woman was slit with a sharp-edged weapon. A knife and an iron crusher were found from the spot along with a broken ladies wrist watch, a mobile phone battery and a broken mobile memory card.
The victim was identified as Arti Patel (24).Her father Govind Patel had contacted the police earlier, saying his daughter had not returned home since Thursday after going out to buy rakhi in the evening. The deceased worked in a travel firm near Valsad station and had studied upto standard XII. She was doing her graduation through open university.
Police believe that Arti was murdered over some personal dispute by someone known to her. Removal of battery from the mobile and breaking its memory card have added to police`s suspicion.
Police said that a couple of suspects were identified from call details and rounded up for questioning. Those working with Arti and her family members are also being questioned to get more details about the victim and her friends.