Bengaluru Fridge Murder Case: Not 20, Killer Had Cut Mahalakshmi’s Body Into 50 Pieces

The investigation into the chilling murder of Mahalakshmi, which has sent shockwaves through Bengaluru, has intensified as police uncover horrific details. The accused in the case had cut Mahalakshmi's body into 50 pieces, a crime even more brutal than the notorious Shraddha Walker case in Delhi, where the victim's body was cut into 35 pieces.

According to police reports, the killer stored Mahalakshmi's dismembered body in a fridge before fleeing the scene. The gruesome discovery was made after neighbors noticed a foul odor coming from her residence. Mahalakshmi's estranged husband, Hemant Das, a resident of Nelamangala, has pointed to a man named Ashraf as a suspect. Ashraf, believed to be a close friend of Mahalakshmi (hails from Nepal), is currently under investigation.

The police have already begun examining Mahalakshmi's call records, retrieving data from her phone to track her last communications. Additionally, technical evidence, including information from mobile towers around the Vayalikaval Pipeline Road area, is being analysed to identify possible suspects and uncover crucial details about her movements before the murder.

A local grocery store owner provided a key lead, informing the police that a young man frequently picked up and dropped off Mahalakshmi. Meanwhile, Mahalakshmi's family members and her husband have cast suspicion on Ashraf and three of her colleagues-Mukta, Sashidhar, and Sunil-who allegedly had disputes with her in the past.

In his statement to the police, Hemantdas recounted his troubled relationship with Mahalakshmi. "We were married for six years, and she ran a mobile shop. Due to family conflicts, we separated nine months ago. Just days before her death, Mahalakshmi complained to the landlord about a foul smell in her house. When he checked, he found her body cut into pieces and stored in the fridge."

Ashraf, who hails from Uttarakhand, worked at a salon in Nelamangala. Hemant Das claimed that Ashraf was blackmailing Mahalakshmi, which led to frequent arguments between the couple. Hemantdas said Mahalakshmi would visit his shop once a month to see their daughter, but she had not been there for over 25 days before her murder.

Tensions between Mahalakshmi and Ashraf escalated recently, resulting in Mahalakshmi filing a complaint against him at Seshadripur police station. Hemantdas suspects this dispute may have led to her tragic death. "A few days before the murder, Mahalakshmi and Ashraf had a heated argument. She had even lodged a complaint against him. I believe he is behind this heinous act," Hemantdas stated.

Adding to the complexity of the case, Mahalakshmi and Hemantdas had a history of conflict. On December 23, 2023, Mahalakshmi lodged a complaint against her husband at the Nelamangala police station, accusing him of neglect. In February 2024, Hemant Das countered with a complaint, accusing her of harassment and public humiliation for money. The police had reconciled the couple at the time, but the discord between them remained.

As the investigation continues, police are narrowing down the suspects and examining the relationships between Mahalakshmi, Ashraf, and her colleagues to determine the motive behind this brutal murder.