Bengaluru fridge case: Mahalakshmi’s husband suspects lover’s role in murder

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, September 24, 2024: As more gory details of the 29-year-old Bengaluru woman’s alleged murder came to the fore, her estranged husband has now alleged the victim, Mahalakshmi, was in an illicit relationship with another man who could have committed the crime.

Speaking to reporters, Mahalakshmi’s estranged husband, Hemanth, alleged the victim was staying with one Ashraf, who originally hailed from Uttarakhand.

Hemanth also claimed a First Information Report (FIR) against Ashraf was filed at a police station in Bengaluru some months back. The case in which Ashraf was involved at the time of the registration of the case was not known.

At least 59 pieces of Mahalakshmi’s body were found stuffed inside a refrigerator at her one-bedroom apartment in Bengaluru’s Malleshwaram. The incident was reported on September 21, after her neighbours complained of a foul smell emanating from her apartment. Mahalakshmi’s mother and sister later opened the door of her flat, only to find her maggot-infested body inside the fridge.

Following Mahalakshmi’s alleged murder, Hemanth said the victim’s family has filed a fresh case against Ashraf, suspecting his involvement in the case.

“I have filed a complaint against Ashraf,” Hemanth told reporters.

“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.

On being asked about Ashraf, Hemanth claimed Ashraf worked at a barber’s shop.

Mahalakshmi and Hemanth had been married for six years and have a four-year-old daughter. However, the couple had been living separately for the past nine months due to domestic disputes.

Family demands justice

Mahalakshmi’s mother, Meena Rana, confirmed she received a call from Mahalakshmi’s landlord saying that a foul smell was coming from her flat.

“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,” Mahalakshmi’s mother told reporters.

“I saw her for the last time at the Rakshabandhan festival. Since then her phone has been switched off,” she added.

Demanding a 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.”

Prime suspect identified

On Monday, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda had told the media that the prime suspect in the case had been identified and that he hailed from Odisha, but had been living in Bengaluru. He also said the police were yet to arrest him and that he was presently suspected to be in West Bengal.

Some suspects in the case were also being questioned.

"As far as the Mahalakshmi case is concerned, we are investigating it from all angles. The prime suspect who is likely to have committed this ghastly offence is identified. The only thing is we are yet to apprehend him. As and when the person is caught and the interrogation is done, then we will be able to provide further details,” Dayananda told reporters.

Meanwhile, several investigation teams were also formed to trace the culprits. Some teams had been fanned out to various parts of India to trace those involved in the crime.