Vijayawada Police Arrest Butcher for Dismembering Woman
A 35-year-old butcher has been arrested for the gruesome murder and dismemberment of a woman in Andhra Pradesh, with body parts found in a canal.
Victim identified as Kalyani, murdered on September 17.
Accused, Mohd Shafi, allegedly killed her over a financial dispute.
Police recovered body parts from a cooling canal; investigation ongoing.
The Vijayawada Police in Andhra Pradesh have apprehended a 35-year-old mutton shop owner, Mohd Shafi, in connection with the horrific murder and dismemberment of a woman named Kalyani. The investigation began on September 18 when authorities received a report regarding a headless torso discovered near the VTPS cooling canal in Ibrahimpatnam.
Upon arriving at the scene, police initiated a murder investigation. The following day, with the assistance of drones and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), they conducted a thorough search of the canal, leading to the recovery of Kalyani's head, legs, and other body parts. However, one hand remains missing. The remains were subsequently sent for a post-mortem examination.
Kalyani was identified after her brother recognized a tattoo on her hand, which was among the identifying details shared by authorities. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (West Zone) NSVK Durga Rao, the investigation revealed that Kalyani was allegedly murdered on September 17 at Shafi's residence in Bhavanipuram. Reports suggest that Shafi lured Kalyani to his home after sending his family away to Guntur, where a dispute erupted over money and a child in his care. Shafi is accused of fatally attacking her with a knife, slitting her throat.
Following the murder, the situation escalated as Shafi reportedly dismembered Kalyani's body to obscure her identity and facilitate disposal. The body parts were allegedly transported to the cooling canal in Gollapudi. ACP Durga Rao indicated that the conflict revolved around financial demands, with Kalyani reportedly asking for sums of Rs 5,000 or Rs 10,000, and Shafi having previously purchased small gold items from her.
The police utilized CCTV footage and technical evidence to track down Shafi, who was arrested on September 27. The knife believed to have been used in the murder was also recovered. Authorities are currently searching for Abdullah Durga Rao, an alleged associate of Shafi, who is reportedly evading capture. Meanwhile, Kalyani's son is with Shafi's wife, and authorities are exploring legal options regarding the child's custody, potentially involving the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) department.
