Bengaluru police identify suspect who killed woman, stuffed body pieces into fridge

The prime suspect in the gruesome case of a woman's killing at her home, the chopping up of her body into pieces, and stuffing them into the fridge, where her family found them, has been identified, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said on Monday.

Addressing mediapersons, he said: "In connection with the murder case, we have got clear information on the accused who has committed the crime. The investigation is under progress for tracking and arresting the accused person."

It has come to light that the accused hails from a different state and was residing in Bengaluru, the city police chief said, adding that after he is arrested, he will be subjected to a thorough investigation.

"We can't provide more information as it might help the accused," he added.

Meanwhile, the police have questioned Ashraf from Nelamangala, after the family and husband of the deceased Mahalaxmi had suspected his role, along with that of three others, in the case. However, he has been released after questioning.

Hemant Das, the deceased's husband, on Monday, said the family is taking the ashes of Mahalaxmi's body to immerse in Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. "We are doing this to ensure that Mahalaxmi's soul rests in peace as she had a painful death," he said.

Asked about the suspect in the crime, he said they have no idea and the police have not given any information to the family.

The Vyalikaval police had taken away the fridge from the residence of the deceased in a goods vehicle, with an official saying that it would be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

Mahalaxmi, 26, who hailed from Tripura and was living alone here, was murdered at her home, her body brutally chopped into 59 pieces, and the body pieces stuffed into her fridge.