Police in Bengaluru are investigating a brutal murder after the body of a 26-year-old woman, identified as Mahalaxmi, was found dismembered and stored in her refrigerator at her home in the Vyalikaval area.
The incident came to light on Saturday when the victim’s family discovered the remains after neighbours complained of a foul smell coming from her residence.
Mahalaxmi, who had been living alone in the house for five to six months, was reportedly murdered and her body chopped into 30 pieces, which were found in a 165-litre fridge, according to Bengaluru police.
The discovery was made by her mother and sister, who had been alerted by neighbours about the stench. Police arrived at the scene and found the body infested with maggots despite the refrigerator being operational.
Preliminary investigations suggest the murder occurred around the beginning of the month. Police believe the killer used a sharp-edged weapon such as a knife or sword to dismember the body.
Mahalaxmi, originally from West Bengal or Chhattisgarh, worked at a popular mall and led a relatively isolated life in the area.
She was married and had a son but lived separately from her husband, identified as Rana, who has been traced and is being questioned. Police are also investigating reports that her brother had been staying with her in the days leading up to the murder.
Additional Police Commissioner N. Satish Kumar said it appears one individual committed the murder and stuffed the body parts into the refrigerator.
Special teams from Vyalikaval, Sheshadripuram, and High Grounds police stations have been formed to investigate, and all persons in contact with the victim are being questioned.
The case bears similarities to the New Delhi’s Chattarpur in 2022, where Shraddha Walkar, 27, was allegedly killed by her boyfriend and live-in partner Aaftab Amin Poonawala, 29.
The accused had dismembered her body into 35 pieces, and put them into a big fridge before taking them out for disposal in the neighbouring forested area.
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