In a case eerily reminiscent of the horrific Shraddha Walkar murder, Bengaluru has been shaken by the discovery of a young woman’s dismembered body stored in a refrigerator. Hailing from Vyalikaval, a bustling neighborhood in the city, the victim, identified as 29-year-old Mahalakshmi Das, was found brutally murdered and cut into nearly 50 pieces. This gruesome crime has sent shockwaves through the country, drawing attention to the brutality of such acts.
Here’s a detailed look at the sequence of events, the investigation, and the possible motives behind this heinous crime.
The Horrifying Discovery
The grisly crime came to light on a Saturday after a foul odour began emanating from Mahalakshmi’s single-bedroom apartment, located on Pipeline Road in Vyalikaval. Neighbors, growing concerned about the persistent stench, contacted the victim’s brother, Ukkum Singh, who in turn informed their mother and elder sister.
Upon arriving at the apartment, the family found the front door bolted from the outside. Using a spare key provided by a neighbor, Mahalakshmi’s mother, Meena Rana, and her sister entered the residence. What they encountered was beyond their worst fears. The apartment was in complete disarray, with clothes, bags, and a suitcase strewn across the living room. The refrigerator, a 165-litre single-door unit, bore traces of blood and emitted a putrid odor.
Opening the fridge, they were met with a sight that left them in shock—Mahalakshmi’s body had been dismembered and stored in sections. Her severed legs were placed on the top shelf, other body parts were stored in the middle, and her head was found at the bottom. In total, the body had been cut into nearly 50 pieces.
The scene was so horrific that even some police personnel, who arrived shortly after the discovery, were visibly affected by the smell and the brutality of the crime.
The Police Investigation: Early Findings and Theories
Immediately after the discovery, Bengaluru Police registered a case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, focusing on premeditated murder. According to the police, the body appeared to have been dismembered four to five days prior to its discovery. The police believe the murder occurred around September 2, which coincides with the last day Mahalakshmi’s phone was active.
Authorities suspect that the body was cut elsewhere and then stored in the apartment, as no blood traces were found in the living room, bedroom, or bathroom. This theory suggests that the perpetrator or perpetrators might have killed and dismembered Mahalakshmi in a different location before transporting the body to her apartment.
To expedite the investigation, four special teams have been formed. These teams are examining multiple angles, including the possibility of multiple assailants. The police have detained an employee of a nearby men’s parlor, who was allegedly close to the victim and was seen visiting her on the day before her murder. Additionally, they are investigating two other men who were close to Mahalakshmi, one of whom used to drop her off at work.
Foul Smell and Maggots: Clues That Led to the Discovery
The discovery of the body was triggered by a foul smell that caught the attention of Mahalakshmi’s neighbors. On Friday, September 8, a neighbor informed her brother, Ukkum Singh, about the unbearable odor coming from her apartment. Despite this, the family delayed their visit until Saturday due to the late hour.
When Mahalakshmi’s mother, Meena Rana, and sister arrived at the apartment, they were confronted by the stench, maggots near the refrigerator, and blood stains. Meena, in her complaint to the police, described how she immediately rushed out of the apartment after opening the refrigerator and seeing her daughter’s dismembered body.
Mahalakshmi Das: A Tragic Life Cut Short
Mahalakshmi worked as a team leader at Fashion Factory, a clothing store in Malleshwaram. Her colleagues reported that she had not shown up for work for the past two weeks, raising concerns about her whereabouts.
Originally from Tikapur village in Kathmandu, Nepal, Mahalakshmi’s family had moved to Bengaluru 35 years ago. She had been living in her Vyalikaval apartment for the last five months, following her separation from her estranged husband, Hemant Das. Hemant, who runs a mobile phone accessories store in Nelamangala, resides with their four-year-old daughter.
Mahalakshmi’s marital life had been tumultuous. Hemant had filed a complaint against her earlier this year, alleging that she had assaulted him during a dispute over financial matters. In turn, Mahalakshmi had also lodged a complaint against him in the past, citing marital discord. The couple separated in October 2023 after Hemant discovered her involvement in an extramarital affair, which led Mahalakshmi to rent the apartment in Vyalikaval.
Despite the separation, Mahalakshmi’s family stayed connected with her. Her mother frequently visited her, and her brother, Ukkum, along with his wife, Deepika, had stayed with her for a brief period before moving out following an argument. The last communication from Mahalakshmi was on September 2, when she informed her family that she would visit them soon.
Unanswered Questions and The Hunt for the Killer
The investigation into Mahalakshmi’s murder is still in its early stages, and several questions remain unanswered. The motive behind the killing is unclear, though police are exploring multiple angles, including the possibility of a crime of passion or revenge.
The police are also examining a blue suitcase found in the apartment, suspecting that the killer may have intended to transport the body. Additionally, they are investigating Mahalakshmi’s relationships with the men she was close to, especially the employee from the nearby men’s parlor who was seen visiting her shortly before her murder.
The suspect, who hails from an eastern state, reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime to a family member and has since gone into hiding in West Bengal. Police teams have been dispatched to the region to track him down.
Similarities with the Shraddha Walkar Case
The parallels between Mahalakshmi’s murder and the 2022 Shraddha Walkar case are striking. In the Walkar case, the victim was strangled by her live-in partner, Aftab Poonawala, who then dismembered her body into 35 pieces and stored them in a refrigerator before disposing of the parts around Delhi over several weeks.
Both cases involve the dismemberment of the victim’s body and its storage in a refrigerator, highlighting a disturbing pattern of extreme brutality in domestic relationships gone wrong.
A City in Shock, A Family in Mourning
As Bengaluru grapples with the horror of this crime, Mahalakshmi’s family is left shattered. The case has cast a spotlight on the rising incidents of brutal murders involving intimate partners or close acquaintances, prompting widespread calls for justice and action.
The police are continuing their investigation, with special teams working tirelessly to track down the suspect and uncover the full story behind Mahalakshmi’s tragic death.
(With inputs from agencies)
