Kohima Police arrest uncle in Vihozhonu Zao murder case

KOHIMA — Kohima Police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of 22-year-old Vihozhonu Zao, whose body was discovered on October 25.

The accused, identified as Samuel Zao (31), the victim’s paternal uncle, confessed to the crime on Tuesday after several hours of interrogation, police said. He had been called in for questioning multiple times before admitting to the murder on Tuesday following hours of sustained interrogation.

A nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Additional SP (Kohima) K Soriso Quinker was constituted on October 26 to investigate the “blind” case. The accused was apprehended on November 4 and is currently in police custody.

Police said further investigation is underway and all aspects of the case are being examined.

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During a press conference on Wednesday, SP Kohima Khrodi Rhetso and members of the SIT briefed the media on the progress of the investigation.

According to police, forensic analysis has been conducted and exhibits sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Guwahati, with results expected soon.

The post-mortem report indicated injuries caused by a blunt object to the victim’s head, resulting in a fractured skull. There were no signs of strangulation.

However, based on the accused person’s statement, he had covered the victim’s head with a sweater, leading to suffocation.

Police confirmed that there was no evidence of sexual assault.

The investigation revealed that the incident occurred around 2 pm on October 24, while police were informed only the following morning, October 25, at around 7.45 am. Officers reached the scene shortly after 8.20 am.

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Upon receiving the information, a team from South Police Station secured the area and initiated preliminary procedures.

The FSL team from Dimapur arrived at 2.05 pm and conducted standard forensic measures, including photography, videography, and the collection of physical evidence.

A detection dog was also deployed to examine the area for additional clues, and an inquest was conducted in the presence of independent witnesses, police said. The post-mortem was performed at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima.

Following a written FIR filed by Vekethovo Zao, the victim’s paternal uncle, a regular case was registered under Kohima Women PS Case No. 0017/2025, U/S 101/103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023.

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Given the sensitivity and complexity of the case, a dedicated SIT comprising senior officers, including the Additional SP, SDPO (North), OC (Women PS), SI, IO, ASIs, and other personnel, was tasked to ensure a coordinated investigation.

SP Rhetso explained that the case posed extraordinary challenges as it was initially a blind case and the identified scene of crime was later found to be a secondary location, complicating efforts to establish a motive and sequence of events.

Through systematic investigation and attention to detail, the SIT identified the suspect and obtained a confession.

Sequence of the crime

During interrogation, the accused reportedly stated that around 2 pm on October 24, he had asked the victim to prepare tea.

When she did not respond and continued using her mobile phone, he became enraged and struck her multiple times on the head with a piece of firewood, causing her to collapse.

He then used a sweater to cover her head, ostensibly to stop the bleeding.

Later, he switched off her phone, removed the SIM card, broke the handset, and disposed of the pieces in a KMC dumping truck the following morning. The sweater used to wipe the blood was also discarded nearby to destroy evidence.

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Police said that the accused kept the body inside his room overnight before disposing of it near the ring well in the basement.

Investigators have found no evidence of accomplices. At the time of the incident, only the victim, the accused, and the grandmother (who was tending to plants on the terrace) were present in the house.

Police confirmed that the kitchen was the primary crime scene, while the area where the body was found served as the secondary location.

Authorities believe the crime was committed in a fit of rage without premeditation.

Family sources told Eastern Mirror that the accused, originally of Nepali descent, had been adopted into the family by the victim’s aunt.

SP Rhetso said that the shortage of forensic facilities in Nagaland has been noted by the state government and Police department, and efforts are being made to address the issue.

He added that police are intensifying patrolling and preventive measures in Kohima to deter similar incidents and urged the public to report suspicious activities promptly.

Kohima Police expressed appreciation to the public for their cooperation and trust, which allowed the investigation to proceed smoothly and without external interference.

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