Suspicious death of an NRI in Vizag

NRI K Phani Mahesh (42) and his advocate mother, K Bhagyalakshmi (65) allegedly committed suicide in their apartment in Golalapalem area of Vishakapatnam. Phani Mahesh was a software engineer in Dallas in the United States of America and came home a week ago and was all set to return on Friday evening. He also had an auto rickshaw booked for the airport but the auto driver left the scene when he realized that fire broke in their apartment. Bhagyalakshmi had been living alone for almost two decades after her divorce and the residents of the apartment informed the fire service and police after they noticed smoke form their apartment.

According to their relatives, Bhagyalakhsmi owned a shopping complex in MVP colony of Vizag which also had a ration depot. She has been insisting the dealer to vacate the premises but he would vacate only on the pretext of she paying him five lakh rupees. He was the first one to know about the incident and informed the relatives of Bhagyalakshmi.

Phani’s body was found in the puja room while Bhagyalakshmi’s body was found in main hall of the apartment. According to reports, there were no clues of any gas leakage and short circuit in the flat but the police found kerosene cans. No suicide note has been recovered yet and police are investigating the suicide with a suspicion of foul play.

Bhagyalakshmi had two children – Phani Mahesh and Mrudula who are settled in the US. Due to visa issues Phani Mahesh’s wife and his new born stayed back in the US. Mrudula was in Chennai when the fatal incident took place. The relatives of the deceased expressed suspicion over the death of the two as no matter of family clash or health issue is known.