Woman's severed head, remains found stuffed in plastic bags in Karnataka: Police launch investigation

Tumakuru (Karnataka): The severed head and dismembered body of a woman were found stuffed in multiple plastic bags along the road at Kolala village in Koratagere.

According to the police, initially on August 7, seven covers with the woman's body parts stuffed were brought to their notice by passersby. Later, Koratagere police combed the crime spot and found seven more plastic bags stuffed with body parts and the head on August 8.

An official who is part of the investigating team told the media that they have pinpointed the identity of the woman with the help of the head, but are yet to confirm the identity.

According to a report by NewsKarnataka, the victim has been identified as 42-year-old Lakshmi Devamma based on the distinctive tattoos on her hands and recognisable facial features. A resident of Bellavi in Tumakuru taluk, she had been reported missing since August 4, after her husband Basavaraju lodged a police complaint. According to him, Lakshmidevamma had left for Urdigere on August 3 to visit her daughter but failed to return home.

Special team to search crime site and neighbouring villages

On Friday, special teams were set up by Tumakuru Superintendent of Police, Ashok K V, to comb Kolala village near Koratagere, where the body parts were discovered, as well as neighbouring villages.

Murdered elsewhere; rain impedes search

The police official said the killers more likely came in a car to dispose of the body stuffed in plastic bags. They suspect that they are scattered all along the road connecting Chimpuganhalli and Venkatapura villages.

"The woman was more likely murdered elsewhere," he added. A search for more body parts was made difficult due to heavy rain in the area on Saturday.

Similar incident in June

The incident follows a similar murder in June, where a 30-year-old woman, a government employee, was killed in broad daylight near Tippu Sultan Circle in Indira Nagar, Vijayapura district. The motive was reportedly a personal dispute linked to an "immoral relationship". The victim, identified as Renuka Sayabanna Kannolli, was attacked while on her scooter.

(with PTI inputs)