Vijayawada butcher arrested for killing, dismembering woman in custody row
Synopsis
A Vijayawada mutton shop owner allegedly murdered a woman, dismembered her body, and dumped the remains in a canal — all to prevent her from reclaiming a child she had given him for adoption. The case, pieced together through CCTV, drones, and NDRF searches, exposes a grim intersection of informal adoption, financial disputes, and violence.
Key Takeaways
Mohd Shafi, 35 , a mutton shop operator in Vijayawada , was arrested on 27 September for the alleged murder and dismemberment of a woman identified as Kalyani .
A headless torso was found near a canal in Ibrahimpatnam on 18 September ; remaining body parts were recovered with the help of drones and NDRF personnel.
The alleged motive: Kalyani had given her son for adoption to Shafi and was reportedly demanding money — over ₹1 lakh already paid — and threatening to take the child back.
The alleged murder took place on 17 September at Shafi's home in Bhavanipuram ; the murder weapon, a knife, has been recovered.
A second suspect, an employee at Shafi's shop, was reportedly absconding; police were actively pursuing him.
The child's custody is under legal review, with possible transfer to the ICDS department being considered.
A mutton shop operator in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, has been arrested for allegedly murdering a woman, severing her body into multiple parts, and disposing of the remains in a canal, police confirmed on Tuesday, 29 September. The accused, identified as Mohd Shafi, 35, was taken into custody on 27 September following a week-long investigation that involved drone searches and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
How the Case Came to Light
The investigation was triggered on 18 September when a headless torso was discovered near a canal in Ibrahimpatnam. Police launched a search operation and, with the assistance of drones and NDRF teams, subsequently recovered the victim's head, legs, and other body parts from the waterway.
The victim was identified as Kalyani after her brother recognised a distinctive tattoo on her hand, along with other identifying details, according to police.
What Triggered the Alleged Murder
According to police, the crime allegedly took place on 17 September at Shafi's residence in Bhavanipuram. Investigators say the motive centred on a dispute over a child that Kalyani had given up for adoption to Shafi, who is a relative of Ghouse Mohiuddin — the man with whom Kalyani had previously been in a relationship.
Kalyani had reportedly been making repeated financial demands from Shafi following the adoption, and had allegedly received over ₹1 lakh in payments as well as gold items from him. According to police, she escalated her demands and threatened to reclaim the child — a threat that Shafi, who had raised the boy as his own son, was unwilling to accept.
Police allege that Shafi sent his wife and children to Guntur before calling Kalyani to his home, where a confrontation over money turned fatal. He allegedly attacked her with a knife and slit her throat.
What Police Found and Said
Assistant Commissioner of Police (West Zone) N.S.V.K. Durga Rao stated that after killing Kalyani, Shafi allegedly dismembered her body — severing the head, legs, and other parts — reportedly to conceal her identity and facilitate disposal. The remains were then allegedly transported to and thrown into the canal.
'It was about the child and money. She had handed over the child and was repeatedly demanding money,' ACP Durga Rao said. Police said CCTV footage, technical investigation, and forensic evidence helped establish Shafi's role. The knife allegedly used in the crime has been recovered.
A second individual, identified only as Durga Rao — an employee at Shafi's shop — is also accused of allegedly assisting in the crime. He was reportedly absconding at the time of filing, with efforts underway to trace and arrest him.
Victim's Background and Child Custody
Kalyani, originally from Eluru district, had settled in Mangalagiri, Guntur district after marriage. Following a separation from her husband, she had been living independently and working at a hotel. Her relationship with Ghouse Mohiuddin produced a child; after learning he was already married, the two separated by mutual agreement and gave the child for adoption to Shafi, Mohiuddin's relative.
The child is currently in the care of Shafi's wife. Authorities are reportedly seeking legal advice on custody arrangements, with the possibility of transferring guardianship to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) department under consideration.
Point of View
Where verbal agreements and cash transfers substitute for due process — leaving all parties, including the child, dangerously unprotected. The alleged cycle of financial demands following an informal handover points to a pattern that courts and child welfare authorities have repeatedly flagged but rarely intercepted before tragedy strikes. The involvement of a second accused who remains at large also raises questions about how swiftly the local police net closed. Critically, the child at the centre of this case now faces an uncertain custody future — a consequence that formal adoption channels are specifically designed to prevent.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Vijayawada canal body parts case?
Mohd Shafi, 35, a mutton shop operator from Bhavanipuram in Vijayawada, was arrested on 27 September in connection with the murder and dismemberment of a woman identified as Kalyani. A second suspect, an employee at his shop, was reportedly still absconding.
What was the motive behind the alleged murder?
According to police, the dispute arose over a child Kalyani had given for adoption to Shafi. She had allegedly been making repeated financial demands — receiving over ₹1 lakh and gold items — and threatened to reclaim the child, which Shafi allegedly refused to accept.
How was the victim identified?
The victim, Kalyani, was identified after her brother recognised a tattoo on her hand along with other identifying details. Her headless torso was found near a canal in Ibrahimpatnam on 18 September; the remaining body parts were recovered using drones and NDRF personnel.
What happens to the child at the centre of this case?
The child is currently with Shafi's wife. Authorities are seeking legal advice on custody, and there is a possibility of transferring guardianship to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) department, according to police.
What evidence did police use to identify and arrest Shafi?
Police relied on CCTV footage, technical investigation, and forensic evidence to identify Shafi as the accused. The knife allegedly used in the murder was also recovered during the investigation.
