Hyderabad: Man Kills Pregnant Wife, Dismembers Body; Parts Dumped in Musi River

In a gruesome crime, a 27-year-old cab driver allegedly killed his pregnant wife at their residence in Telangana’s Medipally, Hyderabad metropolitan area, on Saturday.

How the murder took place

Police said the accused, Mahender Reddy, strangled and smothered his wife Swathi alias Jyothi before using a blade to sever her head, hands, and legs. He allegedly packed the body parts in plastic bags and made three trips to dispose of them in the Musi river.

Some parts were recovered, while the headless and legless torso was found inside the couple’s house. The remains have been sent for post-mortem and DNA testing, said DCP (Malkajgiri Zone) PV Padmaja.

Confession and arrest

The crime came to light after Reddy first told police that his wife was missing. During questioning, he confessed to the murder. Reports suggest he also admitted the killing to a relative, who then alerted police. The accused has since been remanded to judicial custody.

Troubled marriage

• Swathi had filed a domestic violence complaint against her husband in April 2024, but the matter was settled through community mediation.

• The couple, who were neighbours in Vikarabad, married in January 2024 after a love affair and later moved to Boduppal in Hyderabad.

• Frequent quarrels broke out after marriage, with the husband allegedly doubting Swathi’s character and stopping her from working at a call centre.

Swathi, who was pregnant, had reportedly told Reddy on August 22 that she planned to visit her parents’ home in Vikarabad for a medical check-up. This triggered a heated argument, following which the accused allegedly carried out the murder.