Divorce, passport seizure, remarriage: Canada-returned techie kills pregnant ex-wife

By Sagaya Fernando | February 19, 2026

Hyderabad: A 29-year-old software professional was allegedly murdered by her ex-husband inside her apartment in Vanasthalipuram on Wednesday February 18 afternoon, police said.

The victim, identified as Sunitha (29), was working from home at her fourth-floor flat in Green City Colony when the accused, Devarakonda Mahesh, barged into the residence around noon and attacked her with knives.

According to investigators, Mahesh went straight to the room where Sunitha was present, locked it from the inside, and got into a heated argument with her before stabbing her multiple times, including on her head. She succumbed to her injuries on the spot.

“At the time of the incident, Sunitha’s mother-in-law was on the terrace drying clothes, while her brother-in-law was in another room. Family members rushed to the room after hearing her screams and found her lying in a pool of blood,” said T. Mahesh, Inspector of Vanasthalipuram police station.

When police arrived, the accused had allegedly poured petrol inside the room and locked himself in the washroom. He reportedly threatened to ignite the petrol using a lighter he was carrying. After initial persuasion failed, officers broke open the bathroom door and took him into custody.

Sunitha’s current husband, in his complaint, claimed that she was three months pregnant. Police, however, said the pregnancy has not yet been confirmed and that the post-mortem report is awaited.

Troubled Marriage and Legal Dispute

Police said Sunitha and Mahesh, both software employees, were married in 2022. After their wedding in India, Mahesh moved to Canada, where Sunitha joined him. However, differences reportedly arose soon after, prompting her to return to India within days.

She subsequently filed a domestic violence case against him in Maharashtra. A Look-Out Circular (LOC) was issued in connection with the case. The couple mutually divorced in 2024.

Mahesh returned to India in March 2025 following the death of his mother. Upon arrival, he was intercepted at the airport due to the LOC, and his passport was seized, preventing him from returning to Canada. Police said he had since been unemployed and was living with his father in Telangana’s Peddapalli district.

Sunitha remarried in April 2025.

Alleged Grudge and Premeditation

According to officials, Mahesh allegedly blamed Sunitha for the mental distress faced by him and his family and even held her responsible for his mother’s death. Investigators said he decided to kill her and tracked her address through social media.

He reportedly came to Hyderabad two months ago and began staying in a hostel. Police said he had recently conducted reconnaissance of the apartment complex.

On Wednesday, he allegedly arrived at Sunitha’s residence carrying a bag containing two knives, a drilling machine, and a five-litre can of petrol. After committing the murder, he poured petrol inside the room in an apparent attempt to set it on fire before being apprehended.

CCTV footage aired by local television channels showed the accused walking through the apartment corridor carrying a bag shortly before the incident.

Police have registered a case of murder and are continuing their investigation.