Bengaluru: Over 30 Pieces Of 29YO Woman's Body Parts Found Inside Fridge

A horrid crime unfolded in Bengaluru on September 21 as a woman was found dead with her body dismembered and stuffed inside a refrigerator. The victim was identified as 29-year-old Mahalakshmi Das, who reportedly lived alone in the city's Vyalikaval locality. According to police, her body was found by her family five days after her death when neighbours complained of a foul smell. At least four suspects are being questioned in the case.

How The Incident Came To Light

Mahalakshmi's mother, 58-year-old Meena Rana, said in the police FIR that a neighbour called the family to report a foul smell coming from her apartment. The family reached her house and found the door locked from inside. They took a spare key from the landlord and opened the door to a horrifying sight.

Rana told the police "We found the apartment ransacked and a suitcase nearby. There were maggots near the refrigerator and it looked as if there were blood stains as well. Upon opening the fridge, I ran outside in shock to inform my son-in-law Imran. He called the police immediately," the Indian Express reported.

According to the police, Mahalakshmi's body was found in about 30 pieces. "The crime appeared to have been done 4-5 days ago," Additional Commissioner of Police (West Zone) N Satheesh Kumar told the the Press Trust of India. A canine squad and forensic experts reached the crime scene to begin investigations.

Mahalakshmi's family, originally from Nepal, had been living in Bengaluru for many years. They visited her often but the last time they spoke to her was September 2. She was married to a man, Hemant Das, with whom she had a four-year-old daughter. However, they had been separated for about nine months. 

Who Are The Suspects?

While Hemant was initially a suspect, the police have ruled out his involvement in the crime, the Times of India reported. An unnamed police source said that one suspect hiding in West Bengal confessed to one of his family members that he killed Mahalakshmi. A police team has been dispatched for his arrest.

So far, four suspects are being investigated, reports said. These include a salon worker named Ashraf, who allegedly had a close relationship with Mahalakshmi, and three of her colleagues, Mukta, Shashidhar, and Sunil, with whom she had disputes. Mahalakshmi reportedly worked at a garment shop.

Separated Husband's Revelations

Hemant, a mobile shop owner, told the police that he had filed a complaint against Mahalakshmi in February as she reportedly assaulted him when he refused to lend her money. The police let her off after counselling upon Hemant's request and a case was registered under the non-cognisable register.

Hemant added that they had got separated after finding out that she was having an affair. Reportedly, Mahalakshmi had also registered a case against him over a marital row. He said that she would visit the shop monthly to see their daughter, with her last visit being 25 days before her demise.