The chilling discovery of Mahalakshmi’s dismembered body in Bengaluru has sent shockwaves through the city and beyond. The 29-year-old woman's body was found chopped into over 30 pieces and stored in a refrigerator in her one-bedroom apartment in the Vyalikaval area. The gruesome murder came to light after the landlord reported a foul odor coming from her residence, prompting the involvement of her mother, who was informed about the incident. Mahalakshmi, living separately from her husband, had not contacted anyone for several days, raising alarm.
Police believe the murder occurred approximately two to three days before the body was discovered, indicating a potentially premeditated and violent act. Her remains have been sent for a post-mortem to further analyze the cause and time of death, and investigators are working to gather more evidence from the crime scene. As of now, no clear motive has been established, and the police are conducting thorough inquiries to uncover any leads. Mahalakshmi’s husband, who arrived at the scene after being notified, is also under scrutiny, although there is no information yet linking him to the crime.
This case has drawn immediate comparisons to the horrifying murder of Shraddha Walker in Delhi in 2022, a case that similarly shocked the nation. Shraddha Walker’s partner, Aftab Poonawalla, had strangled her and then cut her body into 35 pieces, storing them in a refrigerator for weeks before dumping them in different parts of the city. The brutality of both cases highlights the growing concern over intimate partner violence and raises questions about the safety of women living alone.
Mahalakshmi’s murder is a sobering reminder of the dangers many women face, and the investigation will likely draw significant public attention. The post-mortem report is awaited and is expected to provide critical insights into the timeline and circumstances of the crime. Police are continuing to search for suspects and piece together the events leading to her tragic death, hoping to bring justice to the victim and her grieving family.
