India: Body of Israeli woman found in freezer

Israeli woman, 28, discovers her Indian lover is married after appearing in his apartment last month. Suspect allegedly hit woman over the head, hid body inside freezer for two weeks

The body of a 28-year-old Israeli woman was discovered Wednesday in the southern Indian city of Bangalore, Indian media reported.

Local police said the suspect is the woman's lover, Lokesh Chandra Das, 31, a computer engineer and yoga instructor. He allegedly beat her to death nearly two weeks ago - and later hid the body in a freezer. The suspect was arrested and confessed to the crime.

According to reports, the victim and the suspect were romantically involved. The suspect, a married man, wanted to keep the relationship secret.

The two met several years ago when Lokesh visited Israel on a business trip. Another report, however suggests they met nearly four years in Rishikesh. Upon returning to India the suspect married a local woman and had a child with her.

Lokesh continued his relationship with the Israeli woman - who held both a Swiss and an Israeli passport. Indian press reports claim the victim came to India on April 15 to meet the suspect only to discover he was married.

Purchased special freezer

According to one report the woman attacked Lokesh and his wife. Another report claimed there was an altercation between the two over his abandoning her in Rishikesh.

When Lokesh's wife got involved, he locked her and their son in a room before picking up a blunt metallic object and hitting the victim over the head. Afterwards the suspect told the police he purchased a large refrigerator and hid the victim's body inside for nearly two weeks.

Lokesh apparently continued to live in the apartment with his family, until his mother came to visit on Wednesday and found the woman's body.

The mother quickly called the police which then arrested Lokesh, who confessed to the act. He told the police he had tried on several occasions to dispose off the body but could not bring himself to get rid of it. Subsequently, his family convinced him to surrender to the police.