The primary suspect in the shocking murder of 29-year-old Mahalakshmi, whose dismembered remains were found in a refrigerator at her home in Bengaluru, has reportedly taken his own life in Odisha, according to police statements made on Wednesday.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Central Bengaluru, Shekar H Tekkannavar, confirmed that Mukthirajan Pratap Roy, the accused, died by suicide while being pursued by law enforcement authorities. Earlier on the same day, Karnataka’s Home Minister G Parameshwara mentioned that police had received intelligence about Roy’s location in Odisha and had dispatched multiple teams to apprehend him.
“We have taken the case very seriously, as the murder had shaken the entire Bengaluru,” Parameshwara stated during a press conference. He highlighted that police had identified Roy as the main suspect and had been diligently tracking his movements throughout various locations in Odisha.
Mahalakshmi’s gruesome murder came to light on Saturday, causing widespread horror and drawing comparisons to the notorious Shraddha Walkar case from Delhi in 2022, in which the victim was also dismembered and stored in a refrigerator. Her mother and sister discovered Mahalakshmi’s body, which was infested with maggots, in their Vyalikaval home, cut into multiple pieces and hidden within the fridge.
During earlier statements to the media, Parameshwara confirmed that several individuals had been taken into custody for questioning, but Roy stood out as the primary suspect based on the evidence collected. “After securing him, we would have been able to gather more information,” the minister noted. The victim’s estranged husband had also raised suspicions regarding a nearby individual known to Mahalakshmi, suggesting a close relationship.
Addressing the growing concerns about women’s safety in Bengaluru, Parameshwara emphasized that various safety measures were already in place, including the Nirbhaya programme and the installation of CCTV cameras. “We are very careful and take many precautions, but we need to put in more effort to ensure women’s safety,” he assured, committing to implement further measures.
