Bhopal/Dewas (Madhya Pradesh): A woman's dead body was found stashed inside a refrigerator in a vacant house in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district on Friday. Her hands were tied and the body was decomposed, emanating a foul smell in the house.
The house, located in the Vrindavan Dham Colony, had been vacant since June 2024. The incident was reported on Friday morning after a power outage in the area caused a hideous smell all over.
Alarmed by the smell, a tenant living in another part of the house noticed called the landlord and the police. Police arrived at the scene and broke open the locked room. Upon inspection, they discovered the body of a woman inside the fridge with her hands tied.
According to information, on Friday, there was a power outage in the area, leaving the fridge without electricity. Due to the fridge not working, a foul smell started to emanate from the house. The smell of rotting flesh alerted a tenant living in the other part of the house. Noticing the foul smell, he alerted the landlord and called up the police. On arrival, police and a team of forensic officers broke in and began inspecting the house. Upon inspection, they discovered the body of an approximately 30-year-old woman inside the fridge.
The owner of the house has been identified as Dhirendra Srivastava, a resident of Indore. According to sources, Srivastava rented the flat to the accused, Sanjay Patidar, about a couple of years ago in June 2023. Sanjay Patidar vacated the house in June 2024 but left a study room and a master bedroom locked, claiming he would move his belongings later. Neighbours reported that Patidar occasionally visited the house alone.
Police Investigation
Police has now launced a manhunt for Sanjay Patidar, the main suspect in the case. The tenant who reported the foul smell is being interrogated. Forensic teams are investigating the site, and the body will be removed from the refrigerator after their examination. Further investigation into the matter is underway. Identity of the woman is yet to be discovered.