Body parts of a woman found inside a refrigerator in Bangalore.
Bengaluru woman Mahalakshmi's body was found dismembered inside a fridge in her apartment. Police said that the main suspect in the case has been identified, but has not been arrested.
The Bengaluru police have zeroed in on one of Mahalakshmi's associates as a “prime suspect” in her alleged murder, a crime that has sent shock waves across the country, according to sources. Police sources said on Wednesday that the man, whom they identified as Mukti, and Mahalakshmi were accomplices.
Sources added that Mukti had expressed her opposition to Mahalakshmi's intimacy with another man. Police sources did not say who the man was.
Earlier this week, Mahalakshmi's estranged husband said he suspected the role of Ashraf, whom he identified as her lover.
The body parts of 29-year-old saleswoman Mahalakshmi were found dumped in a fridge in her one-bedroom apartment in Malleswaram, Bengaluru on September 21. According to police sources, it was cut into more than 50 pieces.
Police sources said Mukti's phone was switched off and efforts were on to trace him near the Odisha-West Bengal border. Police sources did not disclose Mukti's last name.
During a press briefing on September 23, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the main accused in the case hails from Odisha but was staying in Bengaluru. The police said they are yet to arrest him and suspect that he is currently living in West Bengal.
Reports suggest that Mahalakshmi last reported to work on September 1. His family members said that his mobile phone was switched off since September 2. The body was discovered by her mother and elder sister at Mahalakshmi's house on September 21.
Mahalakshmi's post-mortem report
Meanwhile, Mahalakshmi's post-mortem report has confirmed that 59 cuts were made to her body.
Samples of his intestines were sent for toxicology studies to determine if he had been poisoned before death.
Forensics were also examining fingerprints found on the refrigerator.
What did Mahalakshmi's family say?
Meanwhile, Mahalakshmi's mother said that she had last seen her on the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
The owner of the building told me that the house was smelling. I came and opened the door and saw Mahalakshmi's body cut into pieces. The last time I saw him was on the festival of Raksha Bandhan. Since then her phone has been switched off,” Mahalakshmi's mother Meena Rana told reporters.
While demanding severe punishment for the accused, the elder sister of the victim said that who cuts a woman like this? I saw it a year ago. Now I saw it in pieces.”
Speaking to reporters, Mahalakshmi's estranged husband, Hemanth, alleged that the victim was living with one Ashraf, who originally hailed from Uttarakhand.
I have filed a complaint against Ashraf. Ashraf hails from Uttarakhand and had an extramarital affair with Mahalakshmi,'' Hemanth said, adding that he was convinced of their illicit relationship.
Hemanth also said that his estranged wife did not tell him anything about Ashraf. However, she was in constant contact with him, he said. Hemanth told reporters that he came to know about the affair in April or May 2023.
