Bengaluru Fridge Murder Suspect Was Mahalakshmi's Colleague, Had Affair With Her: Sources

Bengaluru: In a significant development in Bengaluru murder case, role of one of Mahalakshmi’s colleagues is under police scanner, according to media reports. The colleague has been identified as Mukti. The horrific murder has sent shock waves across the country.

Police suspect that Mukti, whose last name has not been disclosed yet, is the main accused in the gruesome murder of the 29-year-old saleswoman. According to sources, Mukti had opposed Mahalakshmi’s closeness with another man. However, it is still unknown who the another person was. Reports claimed that Mukti’s phone was switched off and efforts were on to trace him near the Odisha-West Bengal border.

For the unversed, Mahalakshmi's body was found chopped into 50 pieces inside a fridge at her apartment. Earlier, Mahalakshmi’s estranged husband said he suspected the role of Ashraf, who he had identified as her lover. According to reports, both the husband and the victim were living separately. The 29-year-old woman was living in Vyalikaval, Bengaluru and working in a mall.

Meanwhile, state home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said teams have been formed to crack the case and have been sent to Odisha to nab him.

"We have taken the case very seriously, as the murder had shaken the entire Bengaluru," news agency PTI quoted him as saying. "Already the police have identified that the person is in Odisha and have gathered information that he is behind the crime. Police have sent three to four teams there. He is said to be on the run changing places." 

Parameshwara added, "After securing him, we will get more information....two-three persons were taken into custody, but based on the evidence and information available, there is a suspicion about the involvement of the person (in Odisha). So efforts are on to secure him."  

During a press briefing on September 23, Parameshwara has said the main suspect in the case hailed from Odisha but he had moved to Bengaluru. Reports, citing police, claimed that the suspect was presently living in West Bengal. The maggot-infested dismembered body of Mahalakshmi was discovered by her mother and elder sister at her Vyalikaval home on Saturday.