A 29-year-old woman who was three months pregnant was killed inside her apartment in Hyderabad’s Vanasthalipuram area on Wednesday afternoon in what police have described as a calculated and deeply disturbing act of violence allegedly carried out by her former husband.
The accused, identified as Devarakonda Mahesh, a software professional who had previously lived in Canada, was taken into custody from the scene. Investigators say the attack took place at the woman’s fourth-floor residence in Green City Colony around noon, at a time when several family members were present in the house.
According to police officials, Mahesh arrived at the apartment carrying a bag that contained two knives, a bottle of petrol and a chainsaw. Authorities believe the items recovered from the bag point to prior planning rather than a spontaneous confrontation. While the chainsaw and petrol were reportedly not used in the assault, investigators are examining why they were brought to the scene and whether there was intent to cause further destruction or attempt to tamper with evidence.
Police allege that Mahesh entered the flat and went directly to the room where his former wife, identified here as Sunitha (name changed), was working from home. He allegedly locked the bedroom door from inside before confronting her. What followed, officials say, was a heated exchange that escalated rapidly.
“He stabbed her multiple times on various parts of her body, including her head,” said T. Mahesh, inspector at Vanasthalipuram police station. The attack was described as swift and severe. Sunitha’s cries for help reportedly alerted other family members in the apartment.
At the time of the incident, her mother-in-law was said to be on the terrace drying clothes, while her brother-in-law was in another room. Upon hearing her screams, they rushed toward the locked bedroom. By the time they forced entry, Sunitha was found lying in a pool of blood. The accused had reportedly locked himself inside the bathroom.
Police personnel responding to the emergency call had to break open the bathroom door to apprehend him. He was taken into custody immediately, and a case of murder has been registered. The body was sent for post-mortem examination, and forensic teams were deployed to collect physical evidence from the scene.
Investigators are reconstructing the timeline of events and examining whether the accused had been monitoring or attempting to contact Sunitha in the days leading up to the attack. Mobile phone records, digital communications and CCTV footage from the apartment complex are being reviewed as part of the probe.
A Troubled Marriage and Legal History
Sunitha and Mahesh were married in 2022 and later moved to Canada for work. However, according to family members, their relationship was strained almost from the beginning. The couple divorced in 2024, after which Sunitha returned to India.
In early 2025, she remarried and began living in Vanasthalipuram. Police officials believe this remarriage may have been a significant trigger for the accused.
Last year, Sunitha had filed a domestic violence complaint against Mahesh. Based on that complaint, authorities issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him, restricting his international travel.
“Mahesh returned to India after his mother’s death,” said B. Anuradha, Deputy Commissioner of Police, L.B. Nagar. “He was intercepted at the airport because an LOC had been issued in connection with a pending domestic violence case. His passport was seized.”
Investigators suspect that his inability to travel back to Canada, combined with personal grievances stemming from the divorce and her remarriage, may have intensified his resentment.
“Since he could not return to Canada due to the LOC, he was frustrated. He also held a grudge against her for remarrying and wanted revenge,” the DCP added.
Police are now examining whether there were any recent threats or warning signs that may have preceded the fatal confrontation.
Premeditation Under Scrutiny
The recovery of multiple weapons from the accused’s bag has strengthened the suspicion that the attack was preplanned. The presence of petrol and a chainsaw items not typically associated with domestic disputes has raised further questions about the accused’s intentions.
Forensic experts have collected blood samples, fingerprints and weapon evidence from the scene. Digital devices recovered from the accused are also being analysed to determine whether he conducted online searches or made prior preparations related to the crime.
Authorities are also looking into how Mahesh gained access to the residential complex and whether security protocols were followed.
Community Shock and Broader Concerns
The killing has sent shockwaves through the Vanasthalipuram neighbourhood, with residents expressing disbelief that such violence could unfold in a residential apartment during daylight hours.
The case has reignited discussions about intimate partner violence and the risks that persist even after divorce or separation. Legal experts point out that cases involving prior domestic violence complaints can carry heightened risk, particularly when one party struggles to accept the end of a relationship.
Women’s rights advocates have called for stronger enforcement mechanisms, including more proactive monitoring of individuals against whom serious complaints have been filed. They stress that restraining mechanisms such as Look Out Circulars, while important, may not always be sufficient to prevent escalation.
Police have urged the public to refrain from circulating graphic images or unverified claims related to the case, emphasising the need to maintain the dignity of the victim and her family.
The accused remains in police custody and will be produced before a magistrate. Charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code have been invoked, and further charges may be added depending on forensic findings and the outcome of the investigation.
As authorities continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the attack, the case stands as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unresolved domestic conflict and the critical importance of early intervention in cases involving threats or patterns of abuse.
