A 30-year-old man suspected of killing and dismembering a Bengaluru woman, Mahalakshmi, has allegedly died by suicide in Bhadrak district, Odisha. Mukti Ranjan Ray, the prime suspect in the gruesome murder, reportedly hanged himself, leaving behind a suicide note in which he confessed to the brutal crime. His death marks a tragic end to a chilling case that has shocked the city.
The Discovery of the Crime
Mahalakshmi, a 29-year-old woman, was found murdered in her one-bedroom apartment in Bengaluru’s Vyalikaval area on September 21. Her body had been dismembered into 59 pieces, which were stored in a refrigerator. The gruesome nature of the crime sent shockwaves through the community, and a manhunt was launched to capture Ray, the primary suspect in the case.
Ray, who was a resident of Dhusuri area in Odisha, had been working in a clothing store in Bengaluru’s Malleshwaram, the same mall where Mahalakshmi worked as a team leader in another outlet. The two had known each other since 2023 and had been friends for some time. However, things took a dark turn, leading to Mahalakshmi’s tragic death.
Ray’s Suicide and Confession
On September 25, Ray was found hanging from a tree near his home in Bhuinpur, Bhadrak district, Odisha. Local police discovered a bag, a scooty, and a notebook at the scene. Inside the notebook was a suicide note in which Ray allegedly confessed to murdering Mahalakshmi and dismembering her body into 59 pieces. He claimed to have stored the pieces in a fridge in her apartment.
According to Bhadrak Superintendent of Police, Varun Guntupalli, Ray likely ended his life out of fear of being arrested. Bengaluru police, who had been closing in on Ray in Odisha’s Bhadrak and Balasore districts, were informed by local authorities about his suicide.
Legal Procedures and Investigation
Odisha Police have registered a case of unnatural death following Ray’s suicide. The suicide note has become a key piece of evidence in the investigation, but it has now been classified as a court document. Bengaluru police will need to submit a formal request to the court in order to obtain the note and officially use it in their investigation.
Odisha’s Additional Director General, Law and Order, Sanjay Kumar, confirmed that based on the contents of the suicide note, the Bengaluru police have identified Ray as the perpetrator of Mahalakshmi’s murder. The case continues to unfold as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the crime.
The Relationship Between Ray and Mahalakshmi
Ray and Mahalakshmi had reportedly known each other for over a year, working in the same shopping mall. However, Mahalakshmi was married to another man, Hemant Das, with whom she had a six-year-old daughter. The couple had been living separately for the past nine months due to domestic disputes.
According to Das, Mahalakshmi may have been involved in an extramarital affair with a man named Ashraf from Uttarakhand, raising questions about his potential involvement in her murder. However, police are still investigating this angle, as Ray’s confession appears to confirm his role in the crime.
How Bengaluru Police Tracked Ray
As part of their investigation, Bengaluru police questioned several of Mahalakshmi’s colleagues and associates. When they found Ray missing from his residence, they contacted his brother, who revealed that Ray had called him and confessed to the murder. His brother further disclosed that Ray had asked him for advice and had been told to leave Karnataka. Ray’s last known location was in West Bengal, where he had called his brother from before heading to Odisha.
The police eventually detained Ray’s brother for questioning, and soon after, they were informed by Odisha police that Ray had been found dead. According to local authorities, Ray had arrived in Bhadrak on September 24 and was found hanging from a tree near his home the next morning.
In conclusion, the tragic death of Mahalakshmi and the subsequent suicide of her suspected killer, Mukti Ranjan Ray, have left many unanswered questions. While Ray’s confession in the suicide note has provided some clarity, further investigation is required to determine the full extent of the events leading to Mahalakshmi’s brutal murder. The case remains a deeply troubling reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the lengths some may go to in the face of fear and desperation.
(With inputs from agencies)
