The brutal murder case in Bengaluru has sent shockwaves not only across Karnataka but also the entire country. The discovery of the dismembered body of a 29-year-old woman, Mahalakshmi, with 59 body parts found in a refrigerator, has drawn grim parallels to other horrific incidents in recent memory.
Incident Overview:
Recently, residents of Malleswaram, a neighborhood in Bengaluru, reported a foul smell coming from a house near Veeranna Bhavan. When the police arrived and began investigating, they made a horrifying discovery. Inside a refrigerator, they found the dismembered body of a young woman, later identified as Mahalakshmi, cut into 59 pieces.
About the Victim:
Mahalakshmi, originally from Nepal, had been living in Bengaluru for several years. She was married to Hemant Das and had a 4-year-old daughter. However, her marital life had been strained, and for the past nine months, she had been living separately from her husband. The distance between them had grown, and their relationship was complicated by her involvement with other people.
Motive Behind the Murder:
The prime suspect in the murder case was identified as Mukti Ranjan Roy, a colleague of Mahalakshmi. During the investigation, police uncovered a diary that Mukti had written before his suicide, in which he confessed to the murder. In the diary, Mukti mentioned that he had killed Mahalakshmi on September 3rd after a personal dispute. The diary indicated that her behavior had frustrated him, leading to a violent altercation. Mukti detailed how, in a fit of rage, he murdered her and then cut her body into 59 pieces, storing them in the refrigerator.
Investigation Findings:
As the investigation progressed, it became clear that Mahalakshmi had been involved in arguments with her colleagues Mukti, Sashidhar, and Sunil. However, the primary focus remained on Mukti, who had fled to West Bengal. During the course of the investigation, police discovered that Mukti had shared details of the murder with a family member before escaping. The police tracked him down to Bhadarak district in Odisha, where he was found hanging from a tree, having committed suicide.
Mahalakshmi’s Family Situation:
Mahalakshmi’s family, residing in Nepal, was devastated by the news. She had been living in Bengaluru for years with her husband and daughter, but her marriage had been on shaky ground. Nine months prior to the murder, she and her husband had separated after he discovered her involvement with someone else. Despite their separation, Hemant would occasionally visit to see their daughter. The last time her family saw her was on September 2nd, the day before she was killed.
Her mother, Meena Rana, aged 58, was informed about the foul smell by the neighbors, and upon investigating, she learned about the brutal murder of her daughter. Initially, the police had suspicions about Hemant, but he was later cleared of any involvement in the case.
Shocking Parallels:
This murder draws eerie comparisons to the 2022 Shraddha Walkar murder case in Delhi, where 27-year-old Shraddha was killed by her boyfriend, Aftab Amin Poonawala. In that case, Aftab had chopped her body into 35 pieces and disposed of them in a forest near their home, sending shockwaves across the nation. The Bengaluru incident has similarly left the local community in deep shock and disbelief.
Ongoing Investigation:
Apart from Mukti, the police are also investigating the roles of Mahalakshmi’s other colleagues, Sashidhar and Sunil, to understand if there was any deeper conflict that might have contributed to this tragic incident. Mukti’s suicide has further complicated the investigation, but the police are questioning his family members for additional insights.
Societal Reflection:
Crimes like this are not just a reflection of individual failures but also highlight deeper societal issues. Often, such violent acts stem from a mix of emotional instability, frustration, and personal conflict. In this case, mental health issues, strained relationships, and feelings of betrayal may have all played a role in leading to such a gruesome crime.
To prevent such incidents, mental health awareness and access to counseling are essential. Recognizing early signs of emotional distress and providing the necessary support can potentially stop such horrific outcomes from occurring.
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