Body parts of Bengaluru woman found inside refrigerator
Bengaluru police have roped in one of Mahalakshmi’s associates as a “prime suspect” in her murder, a case that has sent shockwaves across the country, according to sources. Police sources said on Wednesday that the man, whom they identified as one Mukti, and Mahalakshmi were his accomplices.
Sources added that Mukti expressed disapproval of Mahalakshmi’s closeness with another man. Police sources did not reveal the identity of the person.
Earlier this week, Mahalakshmi’s estranged husband said he suspected Ashraf’s role, identifying him as her lover.
The maggot-infested body parts of Mahalakshmi, a 29-year-old saleswoman, were found dumped in a refrigerator in her one-room flat in Malleshwaram in Bengaluru on September 21. According to police sources, they were cut into more than 50 pieces.
Police sources said Mukti’s phone had been switched off and efforts to trace him near the Odisha-West Bengal border were on. Mukti’s surname was not disclosed by police sources.
In a press conference on September 23, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the prime suspect in the case hails from Odisha but was staying in Bengaluru. The police said they would arrest him and suspect that he is still living in West Bengal.
Reports suggest that Mahalakshmi last went to work on September 1. Her family members said her phone had been switched off since September 2. The body was found by her mother and elder sister at Mahalakshmi’s house on September 21.
POST-MORTEM REPORT OF MAHALAKSHMI
Meanwhile, Mahalakshmi’s post-mortem report confirmed that her body was cut into 59 pieces.
Samples of his intestines were sent for toxicology tests to determine if he had been poisoned before his death.
Detectives were also examining fingerprints found in the refrigerator.
WHAT THE FAMILY OF MAHALAKSHMI SAYS
Meanwhile, Mahalakshmi’s mother said she last saw her during the Rakshabandhan festival.
“The owner of the building informed me that there is a bad smell coming from the house. When I reached and opened the door, I saw Mahalakshmi’s body being cut into pieces. I last saw him at the Rakshabandhan festival. Since then her phone has been switched off,” Mahalakshmi’s mother Meena Rana told the media.
Demanding a strict punishment for the accused, the elder sister of the deceased said, “Who cuts a woman into pieces like this? I saw him last year. Now I see him in pieces.”
Speaking to reporters, Mahalakshmi’s estranged husband, Hemanth, said the victim lived with Ashraf, who hails from Uttarakhand.
“I filed a complaint against Ashraf. Ashraf hails from Uttarakhand and had an extra-marital affair with Mahalakshmi,” Hemanth said, adding that he was sure about their illicit relationship.
Hemanth also said that his estranged wife had not told him anything about Ashraf. However, he has been in constant contact with her, he said. He came to know about this issue in April or May 2023, Hemanth told reporters.
