Techie murders pregnant ex-wife in Hyderabad with knives, petrol, chainsaw

In a brutal incident that has sent shockwaves through Hyderabad, a Canadian-returned techie, identified as Devarakonda Mahesh, allegedly murdered his pregnant ex-wife, Buddarthi Sunitha (29), at her apartment in Vanasthalipuram on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The attack, described as premeditated and exceptionally violent, occurred around noon in the Green City Colony. Mahesh reportedly stormed into Sunitha's fourth-floor apartment armed with two knives, a can of petrol, and a chainsaw, according to multiple news reports [2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 18, 19]. The primary motive behind the heinous crime appears to be a deep-seated resentment over Sunitha's remarriage after their divorce in 2024, and a domestic violence case she had previously filed against Mahesh [3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 15, 18]. This domestic violence complaint had resulted in a Look Out Circular (LOC) being issued against Mahesh, which prevented him from returning to Canada, where he had been working as a software professional. This inability to travel back abroad reportedly fueled his anger and disappointment [2, 3, 8, 10, 18]. According to the police, Mahesh allegedly tracked Sunitha's address through her social media accounts. He had moved back to his native place in Peddapalli district after his mother's passing in 2025 and subsequently relocated to Hyderabad, staying in a hostel while planning the murder. He is believed to have conducted a reconnaissance of Sunitha's apartment building prior to the attack [2, 4, 6, 10, 18, 19]. On the day of the incident, he entered the apartment, went directly to Sunitha's room, and locked it from the inside. A heated argument ensued, after which Mahesh brutally attacked her with the knives, inflicting multiple stab wounds, including to her head [2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 13, 19]. While Sunitha's current husband claimed she was three months pregnant, police stated this is yet to be confirmed pending the post-mortem report [2, 6, 10, 11]. Family members of the victim, including her mother-in-law and brother-in-law who were present in the apartment at the time, heard her screams and rushed to the room, only to find her in a pool of blood [2, 3, 5, 11, 15, 19]. Following the attack, Mahesh allegedly poured petrol inside the room and barricaded himself in the washroom, threatening to set himself and the apartment on fire with a lighter he was carrying [8, 10, 11, 13, 15]. Police negotiators were able to persuade him to come out after a brief standoff. In some reports, it is mentioned that police had to break down the washroom door to apprehend him [3, 11]. The couple had married in 2022, lived briefly in Canada, and eventually divorced in 2024 due to irreconcilable differences [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13]. Sunitha had filed for divorce and returned to India, and in April 2025, she remarried [3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 15]. This remarriage, coupled with the ongoing domestic violence case, appears to have been the catalyst for Mahesh's violent act [4, 15]. The news has highlighted concerns about domestic violence and the psychological impact of relationship breakdowns. The inclusion of items like a chainsaw and petrol in the accused's bag suggests a particularly brutal and possibly vengeful intent. The rapid apprehension of the accused by the police demonstrates their swift response to the crime. The case is currently under investigation, with charges of murder filed against Mahesh [3]. The incident underscores the pervasive issue of domestic violence and its tragic consequences, resonating deeply within the Indian context.

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