Horrifying murder cases have become disturbingly frequent in India, each more shocking than the last. From dismemberment to attempts at erasing evidence through gruesome means, these crimes reflect a chilling pattern of brutality. The latest case from Hyderabad, where a former Army man killed and mutilated his wife, is another stark reminder of this growing menace.
Chopped, Boiled, and Dumped: The Hyderabad Horror
In Telangana’s Hyderabad, a former Army personnel, Gurumurthy, was taken into custody for the gruesome murder of his 35-year-old wife, Puttavenkata Madhavi. On January 15, in a fit of rage, he allegedly killed her, dismembered the body, and boiled the remains in a pressure cooker before disposing of them in a lake.
Madhavi’s parents grew suspicious after failing to contact her and filed a missing complaint on January 18 at the Meerpet police station. Gurumurthy initially claimed that she had left after an argument over visiting her native place for Sankranti, even assisting police in searching for her. However, investigators grew suspicious due to reports of frequent quarrels between the couple, leading to his detention and eventual confession.
Hiding the Crime
To eliminate evidence, Gurumurthy chopped his wife’s body in their bathroom and boiled the remains over three days. He ground the bones with a pestle before dumping everything in a lake. Police are yet to recover the body parts and have deployed a dog squad and forensic teams for further investigation.
Jalgaon District Collector Ayush Prasad confirmed that authorities are still verifying the accused’s statements. Meanwhile, similar horrific cases continue to surface, highlighting the increasing instances of brutal domestic violence and premeditated killings.
Another Chilling Case: The Pregnant Wife Murder
Just days before this incident, Kushaiguda police arrested a man for murdering his seven-month pregnant wife. Sachin Satyanarayana, 21, strangled his wife, T Sneha, with such force that the fetus was expelled, killing both mother and child instantly. In a desperate cover-up attempt, he tried to set the house on fire but failed and fled the scene.
Echoes of the Mira Road Murder
The Hyderabad case brings back memories of the gruesome Mira Road murder in Mumbai in 2023. Saraswati Vaidya, 36, was brutally killed by her live-in partner, Manoj Sane. He dismembered her body into 20 pieces using a tree cutter, pressure-cooked parts to mask the odour, and even fed some remains to stray dogs.
Initially, Sane claimed she had died by suicide but later admitted to murdering her over suspicions of infidelity. This horrifying case mirrored another spine-chilling murder that shook the nation in 2022.
The Infamous Shraddha Walker Murder
In May 2022, Aftab Poonawala killed his live-in partner, Shraddha Walker, in Delhi, dismembering her body into 35 pieces. He stored the remains in a refrigerator for three months, disposing of them gradually across the city. The case only came to light when Walker’s father filed a missing person complaint six months later.
A Disturbing Pattern of Violence
These gruesome murders are no longer isolated incidents but indicative of a growing trend in violent crimes within intimate relationships. Domestic disputes escalating to extreme brutality, calculated efforts to erase evidence, and delayed discoveries highlight a dire need for societal and legal interventions.
The Need for Stronger Preventive Measures
The increasing frequency of such cases raises urgent questions about psychological triggers, domestic abuse, and law enforcement vigilance. Authorities must strengthen efforts to identify early signs of violent tendencies in relationships and enhance public awareness about domestic abuse.
With each new case, the horror deepens, reminding society of the brutal realities behind closed doors. Only through stringent legal action, better psychological support systems, and increased awareness can such crimes be curtailed, preventing future tragedies like these from unfolding.
(With inputs from agencies)
