The prime suspect in the brutal murder of a 29-year-old woman, whose body was dismembered and stored in a refrigerator, has been identified and hails from West Bengal, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed on Monday. He assured that authorities are working swiftly to apprehend the individual.
The shocking crime, which bears a chilling resemblance to the 2022 Shraddha Walkar case, came to light when the victim, Mahalakshmi, was found in her Vyalikaval apartment by her mother and sister. Her body had been cut into 50 pieces and left in a refrigerator, sparking widespread horror.
“Information has been gathered, but until the suspect is in custody, we cannot disclose much. He is believed to be from West Bengal, and we will soon secure him,” Parameshwara told reporters.
Police Commissioner B. Dayananda later confirmed that the suspect is an “outsider” and that investigation teams have been dispatched across India to track him down. The deceased’s estranged husband has raised suspicion about a man known to Mahalakshmi, further fueling the investigation.
Mahalakshmi’s mother, Meena Rana, recounted discovering the grisly scene after being alerted by the building owner about a foul smell emanating from her daughter’s flat. “I last saw her during Rakshabandhan, and her phone had been off ever since,” she said.
Demanding justice, Mahalakshmi’s elder sister called for severe punishment, exclaiming, “Who cuts a woman into pieces like this?”
In response to the case, Parameshwara reaffirmed the state’s commitment to women’s safety, citing the Nirbhaya program and CCTV installations across Bengaluru, though he acknowledged more efforts are necessary.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have urged patience as they work to bring the perpetrator to justice.
(With inputs from PTI)