Software Professional Brutally Murdered by Ex-Husband in Hyderabad Apartment
A shocking incident of domestic violence has rocked Hyderabad, where a 29-year-old software professional was allegedly murdered by her ex-husband inside her apartment in Vanasthalipuram on Wednesday. The victim, identified as Sunitha, was working from home when the horrific attack occurred.
Details of the Tragic Incident
According to police reports, the accused, Devarakonda Mahesh, barged into Sunitha's fourth-floor flat in Green City Colony around noon. He went straight to the room where she was present, locked it from inside, and attacked her with knives. Inspector T Mahesh of Vanasthalipuram police station stated that Mahesh got into a heated argument with Sunitha and within minutes stabbed her multiple times on various parts of her body, including her head.
Sunitha succumbed to her injuries on the spot. At the time of the incident, her mother-in-law was on the terrace drying clothes while her brother-in-law was in another room. Family members rushed to the victim's room after hearing her screams and found her lying in a pool of blood.
Dramatic Standoff and Arrest
When police officers arrived at the scene, Mahesh had allegedly poured petrol inside the room and locked himself in the washroom. He threatened to ignite the petrol using a lighter he was carrying, creating a tense standoff situation. After persuasion by police, he eventually came out and was taken into custody. Police later revealed they had to break open the bathroom door to apprehend him.
Background of the Troubled Relationship
Investigators uncovered a complex history between the victim and accused. Both software employees, Sunitha and Mahesh were married in 2022 and briefly lived together in Canada. However, differences arose between them soon after, and Sunitha returned to India within days, subsequently filing for divorce. The couple mutually divorced in 2024.
DCP B Anuradha of L B Nagar revealed that Sunitha had filed a domestic violence case against Mahesh in Maharashtra, leading to a Look-out Circular being issued against him. When Mahesh returned to India last year after his mother's death, he was intercepted at the airport and his passport was seized.
"Since he could not return to Canada because of the LOC, he was deeply disappointed," said DCP Anuradha. "He also held a grudge against Sunitha for filing the case and for remarrying earlier this year."
Premeditated Attack
Police investigation revealed that Mahesh had been residing in his native place in Peddapalli district without employment. Over the past two months, he allegedly tracked Sunitha's address through her social media account, moved to Hyderabad, and stayed at a hostel while planning the attack.
According to police statements, Mahesh arrived at the apartment carrying a bag containing:
- Two knives
- A drilling machine
- A chainsaw
- A five-litre petrol can
CCTV footage aired by local television channels showed the accused walking along the apartment corridor with the bag shortly before committing the crime. Police have registered a murder case against Mahesh and are conducting further investigations.
In a heartbreaking detail, Sunitha's current husband claimed in his complaint that she was three months pregnant at the time of the murder, adding another layer of tragedy to this already devastating case.
