Chennai: Three days after a torso was found inside an abandoned suitcase at Perambur railway station, the city police on Monday located other parts of the victim's body. While the head was recovered near Kolavai lake in Chengalpet, the limbs wrapped in a plastic cover were found dumped in Buckingham Canal behind a housing board quarters in Teynampet.
Police have sent all the body parts for tests to confirm that they belong to the deceased, Ameer Ali, 35, of Assam. The victim's wife, Rahima Khatun, 30, and her boyfriend Ashraf, both from Assam, have already been arrested.
On June 5, a suitcase containing Ameer's torso was found at Perambur station. A barcode on the victim's trousers led police to a clothing store in T Nagar, from where they got his mobile phone number. Analysis of call records and location data led police to Rahima, who worked as a caregiver assisting patients from northern states at a private cancer hospital in Teynampet.
During interrogation, she allegedly admitted that she and Asraf murdered Ameer following marital disputes. They gave him a sedative and slit his throat, before dismembering the body and disposing of the parts at different locations.
Police found red and yellow plastic bags commonly used at a private hospital in Taramani among the material recovered from the suitcase. This led police to grill staff members at the hospital. The officers also examined booking records of app-based transport services, and zeroed in on a suspicious autorickshaw trip to Perambur Railway Station.
The inquiry led police to Teynampet, where they arrested Raheema and Ashraf. Based on their statements, the police identified the deceased.
Background of the Crime
Discovery of the Torso
The investigation began when a suitcase containing Ameer's torso was discovered at Perambur railway station on June 5. Police used a barcode on the victim's trousers to trace the clothing store in T Nagar, where they obtained his mobile number. Call records and location data then led them to his wife, Rahima Khatun.
Arrest and Confession
Rahima, a caregiver at a private cancer hospital in Teynampet, was arrested along with her boyfriend Ashraf. During interrogation, Rahima allegedly confessed that she and Ashraf murdered Ameer due to marital disputes. They administered a sedative to Ameer, slit his throat, dismembered the body, and disposed of the parts at various locations.
Recovery of Remaining Body Parts
Following the arrests, police recovered the head near Kolavai lake in Chengalpet and the limbs in Buckingham Canal behind a housing board quarters in Teynampet. All body parts have been sent for forensic tests to confirm they belong to Ameer Ali.
Investigation Details
The police investigation was aided by the discovery of red and yellow plastic bags commonly used at a private hospital in Taramani, which were found in the suitcase. This led officers to question hospital staff. Additionally, booking records of app-based transport services were examined, revealing a suspicious autorickshaw trip to Perambur Railway Station. The inquiry eventually led to Teynampet, where Rahima and Ashraf were arrested.
About the Author: A Selvaraj, also known as Crime Selvaraj, is a veteran journalist with over 31 years of experience in crime reporting. He has covered historic events and has been featured in international documentaries. He has also acted in films and authored a crime-poetry collection.
