BHUBANESWAR: Bengaluru has been shaken by the gruesome murder of Mahalaxmi, whose dismembered body was found inside a refrigerator. The murder case took a darker turn when new revelations surfaced, suggesting a toxic relationship between the victim and the accused, Mukthiranjan Roy, her colleague and alleged lover. The unfolding events paint a grim picture of love gone wrong, manipulation, and ultimate tragedy.
Accusations of Blackmail and Torture
The case became more complicated after Shakti Ranjan, the brother of Mukthiranjan, leveled serious allegations against Mahalaxmi. Speaking to the media, Shakti claimed that Mahalaxmi had been blackmailing his brother for money and valuables, including a gold necklace, three rings, and a high-end mobile phone. He alleged that her constant demands and emotional manipulation had left Mukthiranjan mentally unstable, isolating him from his family for over two and a half years.
“Mahalaxmi’s extortion forced my brother to stop sending money home,” Shakti stated, adding that his brother had been deeply distressed, leading to his erratic behavior. The psychological toll of the relationship, according to Shakti, was the trigger for the horrific crime.
The Crime and Its Aftermath
On September 3, 2024, Mukthiranjan allegedly smothered Mahalaxmi to death inside her residence. According to police investigations, he dragged her body into the bathroom and used an axel blade to chop it into 59 pieces. After stuffing the remains in a fridge, he meticulously cleaned the crime scene, even using acid in the bathroom to erase any trace of evidence.
Roy’s cold and calculated actions shocked the police. For days, he managed to evade suspicion, going about his routine while the body lay dismembered in the fridge. It wasn’t until Mahalaxmi’s neighbors detected a foul odor coming from her house and alerted her family that the horrifying truth was uncovered. When her mother and sister arrived at the scene, they were greeted with the gruesome reality of what had transpired.
Suicide and a Chilling Confession
As the police investigation progressed, Roy went missing from his workplace. His absence raised red flags, and soon after, his whereabouts became the focus of an intense manhunt. However, by the time law enforcement caught up with him, it was too late.
Roy had fled to his hometown in Odisha, seeking refuge with his brother, Shakti, in Berhampur. Shakti revealed that Mukthiranjan had confessed the crime to him, overcome with guilt. He stayed hidden for three days, grappling with the weight of his actions before leaving the village and ultimately taking his own life. His body was found hanging from a tree in Bhadrak district on September 21, just days after Mahalaxmi’s remains were discovered.
In a suicide note found in his diary, Roy confessed to killing Mahalaxmi, citing his frustration with her behaviour. “I have killed my lover Mahalaxmi,” the note read. “I was fed up with her conduct. We fought over personal matters, and she assaulted me. Enraged by her act, I killed her.”
The Relationship and Its Bitter End
The tragic love affair between Mukthiranjan and Mahalaxmi had been toxic for a long time, as indicated by police findings. Mukthiranjan, who was Mahalaxmi’s team leader at a local mall, had been romantically involved with her for some time. Their frequent phone conversations and closeness suggested an intimate relationship that quickly soured, leading to fatal consequences.
Mahalaxmi, who lived alone in Bengaluru, had been married with a child but was estranged from her husband. She rarely interacted with her neighbors, keeping her private life shielded from those around her. Her brother had lived with her for a short period, but it remains unclear whether he was aware of the relationship with Roy.
An Ongoing Investigation
While the gruesome nature of the crime has sent shockwaves through the community, questions remain about the true dynamics between the victim and the accused. Mahalaxmi’s alleged role in torturing and extorting Roy has added a layer of complexity to the investigation, forcing authorities to probe deeper into the victim’s character and her interactions with the accused.
The Karnataka police have also come under scrutiny after allegations that Shakti Ranjan, Roy’s brother, was subjected to third-degree torture to extract information about his sibling’s whereabouts. Shakti, a B.Tech student in Berhampur, claimed he was moved to various locations, including Balasore, Soro, and Bhadrak, before being released in Bhubaneswar.