BENGALURU: The brutal murder of Mahalakshmi, which has garnered national attention, continues to confound investigators in Bengaluru. Despite thorough examinations of her house by Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) experts, no bloodstains or signs of violence were detected. The accused has managed to clean the crime scene meticulously, leaving behind no traceable evidence, further complicating efforts to crack the case.
Investigators typically rely on luminol, a chemical that can detect bloodstains, even if the blood was cleaned or wiped away up to 200 days prior. However, in this case, even the application of luminol failed to reveal any blood traces at the crime scene. This has led investigators to believe that the perpetrator used a potent chemical to thoroughly erase all signs of the crime. Such a methodical approach suggests that the murder was premeditated, with the killer taking deliberate steps to eliminate evidence after the act.
According to sources close to the investigation, the police now suspect that the accused had conducted research before committing the murder, learning how to cover up the crime scene and prevent forensic experts from gathering crucial evidence. The discovery that the luminol test failed to yield results has reinforced the theory that the killer had a well-thought-out plan not just for the murder but for how to avoid detection.
Following Mahalakshmi’s murder, suspicion initially fell on Ashraf, a man employed at a hair cutting shop who had been in contact with the victim in the past. Ashraf was brought in for questioning by the police after Mahalakshmi’s family pointed fingers in his direction. During the interrogation, Ashraf admitted to knowing Mahalakshmi and confirmed they had been in a relationship six months prior. However, he vehemently denied having any involvement in her murder.
“It is true that I had contact with Mahalakshmi, but I did not commit the murder. We were in touch until six months ago, but after a dispute, I distanced myself from her. Since our families found out about our arguments, I stopped visiting her. I have nothing to do with this crime,” Ashraf told investigators during the interrogation.
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The police later checked Ashraf’s mobile phone records, confirming that there had been no communication between him and Mahalakshmi for over six months. With no further evidence linking him to the crime, Ashraf was released, though he remains on the police’s radar as a person of interest.
Mahalakshmi’s mobile phone was discovered at her residence, but it was turned off. The police have since seized the device and are conducting a detailed forensic analysis in hopes of uncovering new leads. Additionally, investigators have started looking into the call records of individuals who had been in contact with Mahalakshmi in the weeks leading up to her murder, including her estranged husband, Hemant Das, who has also been questioned in connection with the case.
The police are facing a tough time to solve the case, as several of Mahalakshmi’s acquaintances have had their phones switched off since the investigation began. This has raised suspicions that some individuals may be attempting to avoid questioning. Authorities have indicated that they will issue formal notices to anyone who had been in contact with Mahalakshmi before her death, demanding their cooperation in the investigation.
As the search for the killer intensifies, the Bengaluru police have dispatched six special teams to other states in an effort to track down the accused. Four of these teams have been sent to states such as Odisha and West Bengal, as police suspect the murderer may have fled Karnataka to evade arrest. The central division police are working tirelessly to piece together the timeline of events and locate the perpetrator, while also interrogating several people who had close ties to the victim.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayanand has assured the public that progress is being made in the investigation. “The accused has been tipped off, and we are closing in on them. An arrest will be made soon,” he stated, addressing concerns that the killer may have gone underground.
The grisly details of the case have shocked the public. Mahalakshmi’s body was discovered dismembered, with over 50 pieces hidden in a refrigerator inside her home. FSL experts, who have been combing through the house for evidence, have collected various samples for analysis and have taken the refrigerator into custody for further examination. The police believe that the killer used a sharp weapon to dismember Mahalakshmi’s body before attempting to hide the remains.
The barbaric nature of Mahalakshmi’s murder has sparked outrage across the country. The National Commission for Women has expressed deep concern over the case and has called for swift justice. In a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the commission demanded that law enforcement agencies conduct a transparent investigation and keep the public informed of any developments. The commission also called for the immediate arrest of the murderer and urged that detailed reports of the case be shared within three days.
As the investigation continues, police are working around the clock to gather evidence and track down the killer. With mobile phones being seized, acquaintances being questioned, and special police teams combing through other states, authorities remain hopeful that they will soon apprehend the individual responsible for Mahalakshmi’s brutal murder.
The case has not only shaken Bengaluru but has also become a focal point of national concern. The meticulous planning and brutal execution of the crime have left investigators with a daunting task, but they remain determined to bring the perpetrator to justice.
