Bhubaneswar: A 76-year-old woman, who lived alone in Bhubaneswar’s Laxmisagar locality as her two sons reside in the United States and Mumbai while her two daughters are married, was allegedly tied up and murdered by her caretaker, who subsequently fled with the jewellery and other valuables from the house on Wednesday, police said.The deceased, Kunjalata Nanda, had been staying alone since the death of her husband, a retired divisional forest officer, around six months ago. Police have launched a manhunt for the accused, identified as Balabhadra Maharana, a native of Khurda district’s Tangi area. Police strongly suspect robbery was the motive behind the crime. “It appears to be a murder for gain. Multiple teams are conducting raids to arrest the caretaker, who is absconding,” said police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh.DCP Saravana Vivek M said there were no signs of forced entry into the house, strengthening suspicion of the caretaker’s involvement in the crime. He managed to escape after locking the iron grill from the outside with his hands inserted through the bars.“We will determine whether he acted alone or had any accomplices after his arrest and interrogation. We are currently piecing together the circumstances surrounding the incident and establishing the sequence of events,” Saravana said.According to police, Nanda occupied one portion of her two-storey house, while a tenant’s family lived in another portion on the campus. Suspicion arose in the morning when the tenant found the iron grill gate locked from inside and received no response despite repeatedly ringing the bell. He subsequently informed Nanda’s daughter, who lives elsewhere in the city, following which police were alerted.After breaking open the door, police found Nanda lying dead with her hands tied. Police found injury marks on her head and neck, suggesting an assault before the murder.“My mother’s cupboards were ransacked and jewellery, cash and several household items were missing. The ornaments she was wearing were also taken away. Though CCTV cameras were installed inside the house, the caretaker disconnected them before fleeing,” said her daughter, Samahita Nanda.Police also found that a two-wheeler belonging to the family was missing, leading them to suspect the accused used it to escape. Family members said Maharana was hired about six months ago. They added that his antecedents were verified through local police before he was employed.