Unidentified assailants murdered a 65-year-old jeweller at his house in Raigarh district and decamped with jewellery and cash, police said.
Vijay Agrawal, who runs a jewellery shop in Kharsia town, was found dead at his house in the same area this morning, Kharsia Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Ashok Wadegaonkar said.
As per the preliminary investigation, the incident took place Saturday late night when other members of the family were sleeping, said police.
On Sunday morning, they informed police after finding Agrawal dead, he said.
Prima facie it seems that the assailants entered the house after breaking its window, he added.
Before escaping with jewellery and cash, they strangulated Agrawal to death, the SDOP said.
The exact assessment of the value of cash and jewellery looted from the house is yet to be done, he added.
Inspector General of Police (Bilaspur Range) Purushottam Gautam and other senior police officials also visited the spot for inspection.
A case has been registered in this connection, the SDOP said.