Lagatar24 Desk
Bengaluru: In a gruesome case that has shocked Bengaluru, Muktiranjan Pratap Ray, the prime suspect in the murder of Mahalakshmi, was found dead by alleged suicide in Odisha, according to the police. Mahalakshmi’s dismembered body, which was chopped into 59 pieces, was discovered in a refrigerator at her home in Bengaluru’s Vyalikaval area by her mother and elder sister on Saturday.
Ray, 31, had been in a relationship with the 29-year-old Mahalakshmi, and the couple allegedly had frequent arguments over her insistence on getting married. The Odisha Police revealed that Ray killed Mahalakshmi following a dispute and later dismembered her body.
Confession in Diary and Suicide Note
In a chilling revelation, a diary belonging to Ray was recovered, in which he confessed to dismembering Mahalakshmi’s body into 59 pieces. The Bhadrak Superintendent of Police, Varun Guntupalli, confirmed that the diary and a suicide note were found at the scene. In the note, Ray admitted to committing the crime.
Ray was found hanging from a tree in Bhadrak district, Odisha, under the Dhusuri Police Station limits. The Bengaluru Police had traced Ray’s location to West Bengal through call records, but he switched off his phone, later relocating to Odisha where he was eventually found.
Timeline of the Crime
Ray and Mahalakshmi met while working at a garment shop and developed a relationship. According to police reports, Mahalakshmi’s repeated demands for marriage led to frequent arguments between them, culminating in the brutal murder. After killing her, Ray called his younger brother and asked him to vacate the rented house in Bengaluru without explaining the reason.
Ray then fled the city, confessing the murder to his brother, and moved to his native place in Odisha. The Bengaluru Police, through technical surveillance and call record analysis, managed to track Ray’s movements, sending teams to Odisha to arrest him.
Discovery of Mahalakshmi’s Body
Mahalakshmi’s maggot-infested body was discovered inside a refrigerator by her family members. Her estranged husband, who was called to the scene, expressed suspicion about Ray’s involvement in the crime, as Mahalakshmi had been living alone in the neighborhood.
The police are now awaiting the final post-mortem report to determine the exact cause of Mahalakshmi’s death.
