Ashok Raj Varikuppala allegedly confessed to murdering wife Chaithanya Madhagani, whose body was found in a Victorian bin, but remains free in India amid extradition delays.
Husband Confesses Amid Ongoing Murder Case:
Nearly two years after Chaithanya “Swetha” Madhagani’s body was discovered in a green waste bin in rural Victoria, her husband Ashok Raj Varikuppala remains at large in India despite reportedly confessing to her murder. The 38-year-old allegedly suffocated the 36-year-old English teacher during an argument at their Melbourne home, dumped her remains 80km away, and fled overseas with their young son. This case highlights the grim realities of domestic violence in migrant communities and the slow grind of international extraditions, as Victoria Police continue their pursuit amid calls for swift action.
Body Found in Buckley, Husband Escapes Abroad:
The discovery shocked the quiet town of Buckley. On March 9, 2024, passersby spotted a green waste bin abandoned on Mount Pollock Road, its contents revealing the body of Chaithanya Madhagani. Police quickly linked it to a missing persons report from her Point Cook home, establishing a crime scene there. Autopsy results confirmed asphyxiation as the cause of death, consistent with suffocation.
By then, Varikuppala had already left Australia. He boarded a flight to India around March 5 or 6, 2024, with their three-year-old son, Arya. Upon arriving in Hyderabad, he went to Madhagani’s parents’ home, left the child with them, and allegedly confessed. According to her father, Balsetty Madhagani, Varikuppala said the killing happened “by mistake” during a quarrel, that he panicked, hid the body in the bin, and drove it to Buckley before fleeing. He apologized and vanished soon after.
Victoria Police were alerted via family reports and named Varikuppala a person of interest on March 11, 2024. Homicide detectives searched the couple’s home, finding evidence of a struggle, though details remain undisclosed. Indian authorities were notified, but no immediate arrest followed, as local police required a formal complaint.
In the months that followed, friends held vigils in Point Cook, remembering Madhagani as vibrant and devoted to her son. By August 2024, reports emerged that she had sought a divorce and full custody, citing tensions over Varikuppala’s desire to return to India. A year later, in March 2025, the case remained open, with police reaffirming its priority.
From Online Romance to Family Tragedy:
Chaithanya Madhagani and Ashok Raj Varikuppala met online in 2012, married in 2017, and moved to Australia shortly after. She thrived as an English tutor at Ready Steady Go Kids, known for her outgoing nature, while he worked in IT and was described as introverted. Their son was born in 2020, but marital strains grew, centered on lifestyle differences and relocation desires.
This tragedy underscores a broader issue; domestic violence in Australia’s Indian diaspora. In 2024, Victoria saw multiple high-profile cases of family violence among migrants, prompting community leaders to call for better support services. Extradition between Australia and India, governed by a 2008 treaty, often faces delays due to legal requirements, including dual criminality and evidence standards. Similar cases, like Puneet Puneet’s 15-year evasion after a hit-and-run, illustrate how fugitives can exploit these gaps.
The significance extends beyond one family. It raises questions about child welfare-Arya remains with grandparents in India-and the effectiveness of international law enforcement in preventing “fugitive spouses” from escaping accountability. Advocacy groups like White Ribbon Australia have used the case to push for faster interventions in at-risk households.
Victoria Police Pursue Suspect Amid Extradition Delay:
Victoria Police are actively pursuing justice in the case of Chaithanya Madhagani, whose body was discovered in a bin in regional Victoria in March 2024. Authorities have identified her husband, Ashok Raj Varikuppala, as a person of interest, and investigations indicate that he may have been involved in her death. Despite reports that he allegedly confessed to the murder after leaving Australia, Mr. Varikuppala remains in India due to ongoing extradition delays. Police have emphasized that this case remains a high priority, highlighting the challenges of cross-border investigations and the importance of international cooperation in ensuring accountability. Officers continue to work closely with Indian law enforcement to secure his return, reiterating their commitment to pursuing justice for Ms. Madhagani and ensuring that those responsible for domestic violence and homicide face the full weight of the law.