The Bengaluru Police have zeroed in on one of Mahalakshmi’s colleagues as the “main suspect” in her alleged murder, a crime that has sent shock waves through the country, according to sources. Police sources said on Wednesday the man, who they identified as one Mukti, and Mahalakshmi were colleagues.
The sources added that Mukti had expressed his opposition to Mahalakshmi’s closeness with another man. Police sources did not reveal who this person was.
Earlier this week, Mahalakshmi’s estranged husband said he suspected the role of Ashraf, who he had identified as her lover.
The maggot-infested body parts of Mahalakshmi, a 29-year-old saleswoman, were found dumped in the refrigerator at her one-bedroom apartment in Bengaluru’s Malleshwaram on September 21. According to police sources, it was chopped into over 50 pieces.
Police sources said Mukti’s phone was switched off and efforts were on to trace him near the Odisha-West Bengal border. The last name of Mukti was not revealed by the police sources.
During a press briefing on September 23, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the main suspect in the case hailed from Odisha but had been living in Bengaluru. The police said they were yet to arrest him and suspected he was presently living in West Bengal.
Reports suggest Mahalakshmi last reported to work on September 1. Her family members said her mobile phone had been switched off from September 2. The body was discovered by her mother and elder sister at Mahalakshmi’s home on September 21.
MAHALAKSHMI’s POST-MORTEM REPORT
Meanwhile, Mahalakshmi’s post-mortem report confirmed that her body was chopped into 59 pieces.
Samples of her intestine had been sent for a toxicology study to establish if she was poisoned before her death.
The forensics were also examining the fingerprints found on the refrigerator.
WHAT MAHALAKSHMI’s FAMILY SAID
Meanwhile, Mahalakshmi’s mother said she saw her last on Rakshabandhan festival.
“The owner of the building informed me that there was a foul smell coming from the house. When I came and opened the door I saw the body of Mahalakshmi cut into pieces. I saw her for the last time at the Rakshabandhan festival. Since then her phone has been switched off,” Mahalakshmi’s mother Meena Rana told reporters.
Seeking stringent punishment for the accused, the victim’s elder sister said, “Who cuts a woman into pieces like this? I saw her a year ago. Now I saw her in pieces.”
Also speaking to reporters, Mahalakshmi’s estranged husband, Hemanth, alleged the victim was staying with one Ashraf, who originally hailed from Uttarakhand.
“I have filed a complaint against Ashraf. Ashraf hails from Uttarakhand and had an extra-marital affair with Mahalakshmi,” Hemanth said, adding he was sure of their illicit relationship.
Hemanth also said his estranged wife had not told him anything about Ashraf. However, she was in constant touch with her, he said. He came to know of the affair in April or May 2023, Hemanth told reporters.
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