Butcher arrested in Vijayawada canal murder case; a tattoo helped police identify the victim
Vijayawada: The West Zone police of the Vijayawada NTR Police Commissionerate on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, arrested Shafi, 45, a butcher from Bhavanipuram, in connection with the murder of Kalyani alias Durga, 29, of Mangalagiri. Her dismembered body was recovered from the VTPS cooling canal at Ibrahimpatnam on September 18. A tattoo on one of her hands proved crucial in establishing her identity, police said.
How the case unfolded
Police said the investigation initially stalled because there was no immediate clue to the victim’s identity when the body parts were discovered in the canal. During the forensic examination, officers noted a distinctive tattoo on one of the recovered body parts. Investigators circulated photographs of the tattoo on social media groups and cross-checked the details with missing-person reports filed across Andhra Pradesh and in the neighbouring Telangana districts of Bhadradri-Kothagudem and Khammam.
Family members of Kalyani, who had been reported missing, recognised the tattoo and approached the police. This led to the formal identification of the victim, officers said.
Alleged sequence of events
According to preliminary information from police sources, Kalyani and Shafi were acquainted and had been embroiled in a financial dispute for some time. On September 17, Shafi allegedly brought Kalyani to his residence, where an argument broke out over money. During the quarrel, Shafi allegedly attacked her with a knife, causing her death.
Investigators allege that Shafi then dismembered the body and, with the assistance of a helper from his mutton shop, disposed of the remains in the VTPS cooling canal at Ibrahimpatnam. The helper has been detained for allegedly aiding in the disposal, police said.
Identification and arrest
After identifying the victim through the tattoo and family confirmation, police examined the call records from Kalyani’s mobile phone. This led them to trace and apprehend Shafi on Tuesday. He was taken into custody by the West Zone police under the NTR Police Commissionerate. The detained shop helper is also under investigation for his suspected role in the disposal of the body, according to police sources.
Victim’s background
Police said Kalyani, also known as Durga, was originally from Chinna Tatinada village in West Godavari district. She grew up in an NGO home in Gannavaram and later married a man from Mangalagiri. The couple had a son, but Kalyani had been living alone following a separation from her husband.
Next steps in the investigation
Officers said further investigation is underway to collect additional evidence, verify the timeline, and determine the extent of involvement of anyone else connected to the case. Police have not released additional details pending ongoing inquiries.
Published: September 30, 2026
