Major update in horror body in bin death

Homicide investigators are looking to speak with the husband of alleged murder victim Chaithanya “Swetha” Madhagani following the gruesome discovery of her body in a wheelie bin in remote Victoria.

The police confirmed on Thursday afternoon they had formally identified Ms Madhagani and wanted to speak with her 38-year-old husband Ashok Raj Varikuppala, who has left Australia for India with the couple’s young son.

“The investigation into her death remains ongoing and no one has been arrested in relation to the matter,” a police spokesman said.

“Detectives still wish to speak to a 38-year-old Point Cook man, who is the husband of the woman; however, we understand this man remains off shore at this time.

“Due to the seriousness of the matter, there is much we unfortunately cannot comment on as we don’t want to jeopardise the ongoing investigation.”

Mr Varikuppala reportedly rang family members in Victoria and told them about Ms Madhagani’s death.

Ms Madhagani was discovered just after midday on Saturday inside a green waste bin at Buckley, about 37km west of Geelong.

India and Australia share an extradition treaty for criminal offences, though the police said they would not comment on the extradition process.

Two crime scenes were established, one at Mount Pollock Rd and a second at a residential address in Mirka Wat in Point Cook in southwestern Melbourne.

The sites are about 82km apart.

Photos from the Mount Pollock Rd scene showed a heavy police presence, including a helicopter and members of Victorian Police’s VIPER Taskforce.

Mount Pollock Rd is a gravel stretch with farmland on either side.

Eric Lewis, who owns the land either side of where Madhagani’s body was found, said he heard of the police search on the “bush telegraph”.

“I’m flabbergasted,” he said.

“What is happening here in Buckley, I just can’t believe it.”