Actress murder: Suspecting organ trade, family seeks CBI probe

The grief-stricken family of Sandhya from Kanniyakumari approached district collector Prashant M. Wadnere, seeking CBI probe and prompt action to punish the guilty.

While the investigation team is yet to trace Sandhya’s severed head, her mother Prasanna Kumari raised doubts whether Balakrishnan, the accused in the case, had links with organ trafficking network. She also sought action against Sarojini, mother of the accused, his brother Srinivasan and his wife, alleging their hand behind the crime.

Balakrishnan allegedly murdered Sandhya at his Jafferkhanpet residence on January 19 after she reportedly mocked him. He later disposed of her body after cutting it into seven pieces. The pieces were dumped in different garbage bins. On January 22, at Perungudi dump yard, workers found her legs and one arm, triggering a police probe.

Prasanna Kumari said after getting married in 2000, Sandhya settled in Thoothukudi for years together, while Balakrishnan, who was connected with the film industry, used to frequent Chennai. However, it was a bitter experience for Sandhya after she was subjected to torture by her husband suspecting her fidelity. After a series of quarrel and physical torture, Sandhya was tonsured on eight occasions and forcefully tattooed on her arms and chest, she said.

At one stage, Balakrishnan had threatened to murder her, Prasanna added. Despite such serious issues, Sandhya was convinced by her parents to remain with her husband. It was on December 25 that Sandhya returned home at Gnalam village, Kanniyakumari, and subsequently returned to Chennai after getting Rs 75,000. Later, they were able to contact Sandhya only once; after that it was her husband who attended the subsequent calls. He reportedly told her that the process to help her go abroad was on.

But, much to their shock, Chennai police contacted them and cited the case of a mutilated arm dumped near Pallikaranai, Chennai, that had a tattoo. Her family were asked to confirm whether the body was that of their daughter.