Murder or Mistake? Bengaluru Man Kills Wife, But Forensics Reveal She Was Alive in Suitcase
Bengaluru/Pune, 30th March 2025: In a shocking incident, a man brutally murdered his wife following a domestic dispute, stuffed her body in a suitcase, and fled the city. The accused, identified as Rakesh Rajendra Khedekar (35), originally from Jogeshwari, Mumbai, was arrested near Pune after attempting suicide. The victim, Gauri Anil Sambarekar (32), was found dead inside a suitcase in the couple’s apartment bathroom in Tejaswini Nagar, Bannerghatta, Bengaluru.
According to the police, the incident occurred on 26th March 2025, when the couple got into a heated argument. Rakesh and Gauri had recently moved to Bengaluru from Mumbai a month earlier due to disagreements with their families. Rakesh, who worked remotely for a tech firm, was employed, while Gauri was searching for a job. During the fight, Gauri reportedly insisted on returning to Mumbai. The situation escalated when Gauri began smashing utensils in frustration. Rakesh tried to reason with her, stating that they had paid a deposit for their apartment and would lose the money if they left. However, Gauri, in a fit of rage, allegedly threatened him with a knife. Enraged, Rakesh snatched the knife from her and stabbed her twice in the neck and twice in the abdomen.
Believing she was dead, Rakesh stuffed Gauri’s body into a trolley bag. However, forensic reports later revealed that Gauri was still alive when placed in the suitcase. Large traces of mucus, which is only secreted while alive, were found inside the suitcase, confirming that she suffocated to death.
After committing the crime, Rakesh attempted to flee to Mumbai. He cleaned the blood stains from the floor, locked the apartment, and left in his Honda City car. While on the way, he contacted Gauri’s brother and confessed to the murder. Gauri’s brother immediately informed the Maharashtra police, who then alerted their Bengaluru counterparts. Upon reaching the apartment, the police found Gauri’s lifeless body inside the suitcase in the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Rakesh attempted to take his own life near Shirwal, close to Pune, by consuming a mixture of phenyl and poison to kill insects and animals inside his car. However, locals noticed him in an unconscious state and informed the police. He was rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to Sassoon Hospital in Pune. According to police officials, Rakesh was feigning mental instability to gain sympathy, but medical reports confirmed that he was physically stable.
Further investigations revealed that Rakesh and Gauri had been in a relationship for several years. Gauri was Rakesh’s maternal aunt’s daughter, and they had lived together for four years before marrying against their families’ wishes two years ago.
Police are continuing their investigation into the case, and Rakesh remains in custody, facing charges of murder and attempted suicide.
