21-Year-Old Man Arrested for Allegedly Murdering Live-In Partner and Dumping Body in Suitcase

Mumbai Crime Branch Arrests Man for Murdering Live-in Partner and Dumping Body in Suitcase

Mumbai Crime Branch officials have arrested a 21-year-old man for allegedly murdering his live-in partner and disposing of her body in a suitcase near a construction site in Kurla. The suspect, identified as Askar Manoj Barla, was apprehended at Thane station just as he was about to board a train to his hometown in Odisha.

The victim, identified as Pratima Kispatta, also a native of Odisha, was found dead in the suitcase. The police were able to identify her after her sister recognized her photograph and contacted them. It was discovered that Kispatta had lost her job two months ago and was living with Barla in Dharavi.

According to the police, Barla and Kispatta had met during the Covid-19 lockdown while returning to Odisha from Mumbai. They returned to Mumbai in July and started living together. However, Barla suspected Kispatta of having an affair, which often led to arguments between them.

During the interrogation, Barla confessed to strangling Kispatta in a fit of rage during an argument in the early hours of Sunday. He then placed her body in a suitcase, hired an autorickshaw from Sion, and dumped it on CST-LBS Marg. Barla had planned to place the suitcase in an outstation train at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus but changed his mind and left it on the road.

Senior Police Inspector Ghanshyam Nair stated that the motive behind the murder is still unknown. The police are continuing their investigation to gather more evidence and determine the source of the firearms and ammunition used in the crime.

This incident highlights the need for awareness and intervention in cases of domestic violence and relationship disputes. The police urge individuals in such situations to seek help and report any signs of violence or abuse.