Mahalakshmi Murder Accused Was Mukthirajan Pratap Roy, Not Ashraf

DCP Central-Bengaluru, Shekar H. Tekkannavar, has said that the Mahalakshmi murder accused is Mukthirajan Pratap Roy, who died by suicide in Odisha after news of the gruesome murder surfaced. Previously, some media outlets and right-wing handles had incorrectly reported the suspect’s name as Ashraf. After the name of Ashraf was popped up, right wing handles used the opportunity to spread venomous propaganda against Muslims alleging ‘Love Jihad’ angle into the murder.

Reports indicate that Roy, 31, was found hanging from a tree in a village under the Dhusuri Police Station in Bhadrak district, Odisha, on Wednesday. The local police informed the Bengaluru authorities, who had been searching for the suspect. Roy, who was in a relationship with Mahalakshmi, had fled to Odisha after the crime.

A suicide note was recovered, in which, according to Odisha police officials, Roy confessed to the murder.

“The Odisha Police have already registered an unnatural death case. Based on the suicide note, the Bengaluru police have confirmed he is the accused in the murder case,” said Sanjay Kumar, Odisha’s Additional Director General of Law and Order, to The Indian Express.

The prime suspect was identified two days after more than 20 pieces of Mahalakshmi’s body were discovered inside a refrigerator. The Bengaluru Police Commissioner stated that while efforts to arrest the accused were ongoing, further details of the investigation would not be disclosed to avoid aiding the suspect.