Al Jazeera

Hindu boyfriend dismembered Mahalakshmi into 59 pieces

A shocking incident has emerged from Bengaluru, India, where 29-year-old Mahalakshmi was brutally murdered and dismembered into more than 59 pieces by her Hindu boyfriend, Ranjan Ray. According to Bengaluru police, Ranjan killed Mahalakshmi and cut her body into 59 pieces, storing them in the fridge of their shared apartment. When the police entered the flat, they found bloodstains and numerous insects around the fridge. Upon opening the fridge, they discovered the dismembered remains of Mahalakshmi. The news spread quickly, and neighbors, including Hemant Das, gathered at the scene.

Hemant Das initially misled TV channels by falsely accusing a Muslim man named Ashraf, stating that Mahalakshmi and Ashraf had an affair that led to their separation in September 2023, and insinuating that Ashraf was responsible for the murder. This sparked a wave of online trolling by right-wing extremist Hindus, supported by RSS and BJP, targeting Muslims across India. However, police investigations later revealed this to be a conspiracy to malign Muslims, and Bengaluru police dismissed Hemant Das's claims.

According to unnamed police sources, Mahalakshmi did have a relationship with Ashraf, but they had separated some time ago. Ranjan admitted to his brother that on the night between September 3rd and 4th, after a heated argument, he killed Mahalakshmi in a fit of rage and cut her body into pieces. The police have video evidence showing Ranjan buying a butcher’s knife from a shop the next day, which was used to dismember the body.

Note ⚠️⚠️
This case highlights the grim state of safety for both women and minorities in India. Wherever you encounter right-wing extremist Hindus, it’s wise to keep your distance, as they can be dangerous to everyone.