Vijayawada: A mutton shop operator in Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada, who brutally murdered a woman and chopped her body into pieces before dumping them in a canal, has been arrested, police said on Tuesday.
The case came to light on September 18 when a headless torso was found lying near a canal in Ibrahimpatnam.
The police took up the investigation and, with the help of drones and NDRF personnel, recovered the victim’s head, legs and other body parts.
The victim was identified as Kalyani after her brother recognised a tattoo on her hand, along with other identifying details.
Following a thorough investigation, the police identified Mohd Shafi, 35, a mutton shop operator, as the accused. He was arrested on September 27.
The investigation revealed that he allegedly murdered Kalyani on September 17 at his house in Bhavanipuram, following a fight over Kalyani’s son who was adopted by Shafi.
Kalyani was repeatedly demanding money from Shafi. He had paid over Rs 1 lakh and also bought her some gold items.
Making a fresh demand for money, she threatened to take the child back. Shafi was not ready to let the child go, as he had raised him as his son.
According to police, Shafi hatched a plan to kill Kalyani after sending his wife and children to Guntur. He called Kalyani to his house, where a fight broke out over money. The accused allegedly attacked her with a knife and slit her throat.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, West Zone, N.S.V.K. Durga Rao said that after killing Kalyani, Shafi severed her head, legs and other parts of the body, apparently to conceal her identity and make disposal easier.
The remains were allegedly transported and thrown into the canal.
“It was about the child and money. She had handed over the child and was repeatedly demanding money,” ACP Durga Rao said.
Police said CCTV footage, technical investigation and other evidence helped identify Shafi. The knife allegedly used in the murder was recovered during the investigation.
Durga Rao, who works at Shafi’s shop, allegedly helped him in the crime. Police said he was absconding and efforts were underway to arrest him.
Hailing from Eluru district, Kalyani had settled down at Mangalagiri in Guntur district after marriage. Following differences with her husband, she was staying separately from him and working in a hotel.
She developed a relationship with Ghouse Mohiuddin. After the birth of a child, she came to know that he was already married. The couple mutually agreed to separate after giving their son for adoption to Mohiuddin’s relative, Shafi.
However, Kalyani kept demanding money from Shafi for the child they had given in adoption.
The child is currently with Shafi’s wife. Authorities are seeking legal advice on the child’s custody, with the possibility of handing him over to the ICDS department.
(IANS)
