Woman's Body Found in Fridge, Key Suspect Identified

Bengaluru police have identified a suspect in the murder of a woman whose body was found in a refrigerator. The suspect, an outsider to Karnataka, is being pursued by the authorities. The victim's estranged husband, Hemant Das, is also being investigated as a potential suspect.

The gruesome discovery of a 29-year-old woman's body, dismembered and stored in a refrigerator, has shaken the city of Bengaluru. The victim, identified as Mahalakshmi, was a team leader at a costume outlet in Malleshwaram and resided alone in a rented house in Vinayaka Nagar, Vyalikaval. The police, led by Commissioner B Dayananda, have launched an intense investigation into the murder and have now identified a prime suspect who is not from Karnataka state.

Mahalakshmi's body was found on Saturday, September 2, 2023, after her mother, Meena Rana, filed a complaint reporting her missing. The police investigation revealed a tumultuous past for Mahalakshmi, marked by a separation from her husband, Hemant Das, and a history of domestic disputes. Mahalakshmi had previously filed a complaint against Das in February alleging assault, while Das had filed a counter-complaint accusing her of infidelity. The police had registered a Non-Cognisable Report (NCR) in this case, and family members had attempted to reconcile the couple.

Das, in his statement to the police, admitted to being married to Mahalakshmi for six years and having a daughter with her. He also claimed that Mahalakshmi had been involved in an extramarital affair with a barber from Uttarakhand since April-May of the previous year. This alleged affair, according to Das, was the root cause of their separation. He maintained that he had no knowledge of whether Mahalakshmi had maintained contact with the barber after their separation.

The police are currently pursuing the identified suspect while also investigating Hemant Das's involvement in the murder. Mahalakshmi's brother has also stated that she had become incommunicado since September 4, 2023, adding another layer of complexity to the case. The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 103 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the murder case, indicating the seriousness of the crime. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working tirelessly to uncover the truth behind the murder and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Source: Woman’s body stored in fridge: Key suspect identified and will arrest him soon, says Bengaluru police Commissioner B Dayananda