A 30-year-old woman, Valluripalli Kalyani, was murdered and her body cut into 10 pieces before being dumped in a cooling canal in Andhra Pradesh’s NTR district. Police have arrested 35-year-old Mohd Shafi, a mutton shop operator from Bhavanipuram in Vijayawada, in connection with the case.
The case came to light on September 18 after a headless torso was found near the cooling canal connected to the Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station in Ibrahimpatnam. Police, assisted by drones and NDRF personnel, subsequently recovered the victim’s head, legs and other body parts. Kalyani was identified after her brother recognised a tattoo on her hand.
According to Daily Thanthi, Kalyani was from Akkimedu in West Godavari district and had worked at a hotel in the Mangalagiri area. She reportedly became acquainted with Ghouse Mohiuddin, and the two entered into a relationship. They had a son around 10 years ago.
Daily Thanthi reports that after Mohiuddin ended his relationship with Kalyani, he offered to give their son to his relative Shafi. Shafi, who already had three daughters and no male heir, allegedly took the boy and raised him. Kalyani subsequently became acquainted with Shafi and would reportedly visit him to see her son.
The Tamil daily reports that Kalyani later began demanding money from Shafi. When he was unable to provide a further ₹20,000, she allegedly demanded that he return the boy to her. According to this account, an argument followed, after which Shafi allegedly planned her murder.
Daily Thanthi reports that Shafi called Kalyani to his mutton shop on the pretext of giving her money and, along with a worker identified as Guravaiah, allegedly attacked her with a sickle. The report says the accused then cut her body into 10 pieces and dumped the remains in a nearby canal.
Activist and journalist Swati Goel Sharma stated on her X post that Kalyani was a single mother who began working as a waitress at a mutton biryani shop, where she met Shafi, who worked as a butcher. Sharma alleged that Kalyani entered into a relationship with him and lent him a substantial amount of money.
Sharma further stated that Kalyani later discovered that Shafi was already married and demanded that he return the money. According to her account, Shafi instead offered her the status of a second wife and proposed that her son be circumcised but Kalyani refused and continued demanding repayment.
Sharma stated that on 17 September 2026, Shafi slit Kalyani’s throat, chopped her body into several pieces and disposed of the remains at different locations, including a canal.
Kalyani, a single mother of a boy, started working as waitress at a mutton biryani shop. There, she met Mohd Shafi who worked as a butcher
He preyed on her and she entered into a relationship with him. Trusting him too soon, she lent him a substantial amount of money
What… pic.twitter.com/qUD3pkTJyq
— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) September 28, 2026
Police reports cited by other outlets allege that the immediate dispute involved money and a child who was in Shafi’s family’s care. West Zone ACP NSVK Durga Rao said Kalyani had repeatedly demanded money from Shafi, sometimes asking for ₹5,000 or ₹10,000, and that the dispute also involved the child.
Police claim that Shafi had paid ₹1 lakh for the child and had been raising him. Investigators say Kalyani visited Shafi’s residence on 17 September 2026 after contacting him regarding money. An argument allegedly broke out, following which Shafi attacked her with a knife and slit her throat.
Police also allege that Shafi sought help from another man, identified in reports as Durga Rao alias Abdullah, in dismembering and disposing of the body. The second accused was reported to be absconding. The knife allegedly used in the murder has reportedly been recovered. CCTV footage, call records and other technical evidence were also examined during the investigation.
Police said Kalyani’s son is currently with Shafi’s wife, while authorities are seeking legal advice regarding his custody.
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