Australian MP Tim Watts has condoled the death of Indian-origin woman Chaitanya Madhagani in Melbourne. The 36-year-old woman was killed in the city’s Point Cook area on March 9.
Watts conveyed his condolences to Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on a call, the Indian mission in Australia said. During the call, Baglay expressed the victim’s family’s request for expedited repatriation of her mortal remains to Hyderabad.
“High Commissioner received a call from Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon @TimWattsMP. Both condoled the tragic and untimely demise of a young woman of Indian origin in Minister’s constituency, Point Cook. Minister requested his condolences to be conveyed to the family,” read an update on X by the Indian Mission.
“HC flagged the desire of the family of the deceased for early repatriation of mortal remains. The Mission and CGI Melbourne remain in touch w the concerned. @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar,” a follow-up post read.
HC flagged the desire of the family of the deceased for early repatriation of mortal remains. The Mission and CGI Melbourne remain in touch w the concerned. @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar
— India in Australia (@HCICanberra) March 15, 2024
According to reports, Madhagani was strangled to death by her husband, Raj Varikuppala. Her body was found in a wheelie bin on the side of a road. Madhagani lived in Australia with Varikuppala and their 4.5-year-old son.
Varikuppala reportedly flew to Hyderabad, Telangana, and visited Madhagani’s parental home where he confessed to the crime. He handed over his son to his wife’s parents before telling them he was going back to Australia to surrender to the police. Varikuppala has been on the run ever since.
Madhagani’s sister, who lives in Perth, contacted the police about the incident after which they found the body. An intent behind the crime is yet to be established by officials.
Madhagani’s father said the couple married 12 years ago and they were unaware of any marital issues between them, as per Sky News.
Madhagani’s friend started a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with the last rites. “The collected funds will be used to repatriate the body and to give a guaranteed money for the kid who is now a kind of orphan,” the campaign post reads. The campaign has garnered US $13,870 ($21,121 AUD) with the help of 548 donors.
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