B'luru murder suspect found dead in Odisha

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: In a shocking turn of events, Muktirajan Pratap Ray, the main suspect in the gruesome murder of 29-year-old Mahalakshmi in the city, was discovered dead in Odisha on Wednesday, September 25. His body was found hanging from a tree near Bhuinpur village in Bhadrak district. Mahalakshmi's dismembered body was found stuffed inside a fridge at her Vinayaka Nagar home on September 21, leading police to form special teams to apprehend Muktirajan Pratap Ray.

Bengaluru DCP Shekhar H Tekkannavar confirmed that Ray had died by suicide. During their investigation and questioning of the suspects, the police found that the victim's friend Roy was missing from his residence in Bengaluru. The police then reached out to Ray's brother, who revealed that Ray had called him to confess to the murder of Mahalakshmi. He mentioned that he advised Ray to leave the state.

Authorities reported that Ray made the call from West Bengal, which was identified as his last known location. “The Odisha Police have initiated an unnatural death case. According to the suicide note, the Bengaluru police have identified him as the suspect in the brutal murder case,” Shantunu Kumar Jena, the officer-in-charge said, as per media reports. When asked if the Odisha police had transferred the suicide note to the Bengaluru police, Kumar explained to the media that it is now considered a court document and the Bengaluru police must first submit a requisition and obtain court approval before they can release the suicide note.

According to officers in Odisha, Ray's death is being treated as a suicide. On Wednesday morning Home Minister Parameshwara stated that police had tracked Ray's presence in Odisha and dispatched multiple teams to apprehend him. He emphasised the seriousness of the case, which has deeply unsettled the community. Mahalakshmi's body was discovered by her mother and sister, revealing horrific details of the crime. The Home Minister mentioned that two to three individuals had been taken into custody for questioning, while the investigation focused on Ray’s involvement. The deceased woman’s estranged husband expressed concerns about a man known to Mahalakshmi, who had been living alone nearby.