The family of the man suspected of killing his wife and leaving her in a dumpster have reportedly made an extraordinary offer of land as compensation.
The revelation comes as the Indian parents of the slain women have hit out at Australian authorities, who they say have made no effort to help them return their daughter’s body to her ancestral home.
Chaithanya ‘Swetha’ Madhagani’s body was found in a green bin on Mount Pollock Road in Buckley, west of Geelong, Victoria at 12 noon on Saturday 8 March.
The woman’s husband Ashok Raj Varikuppala had already flown to India with theirs four-year-old son Ayra.
The next day, he allegedly dropped the boy off with Madhagani’s parents at their house in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad.
Sir. Varikuppala’s parents have since reportedly visited the same property to ‘apologise’ to Madhagani’s mother and father for what their son allegedly did, offer them and Ayra four acres of land, and to care for and teach the boy.
Ashok Raj Varikuppala (left) and Chaithanya ‘Swetha’ Madhagani were married for 12 years before her body was found in a rubbish bin
Madhagani’s grandfather K Gopal, who also lives with her parents, told Daily Mail Australia that the visit ‘happened a few days ago’.
“They wanted to take care of their grandson,” the 80-year-old said.
‘They offered him 4 hectares of land.
‘They expressed regret at the incident and apologized for whatever happened.
‘They remember Swetha as a happy daughter-in-law.’
Sir. Gopal said Mr. Varikuppala’s parents had already enrolled Arya in a nearby school.
He also said they had not known where Mr Varikuppala was but “are told he is going missing”.
The Hyderabad house where Mr Varikuppala allegedly visited Ms Madhagani’s parents to apologize for what happened and hand over their grandson
Sir. Gopal said when Mr Varikuppala visited he “expressed remorse” for what had happened and said Madhagani died because of an “argument typical of any married couple”.
Madhagani’s father, Balshetty Madhagani, told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Varikuppala ‘apologised for what he did and left’.
“He (Mr Varikuppala) said they had an argument on a fateful day,” Madhagani said.
‘He brought the son here because he didn’t want him to become an orphan in Australia.’
Madhagani also said he felt “very disappointed” with the Australian authorities.
“No one from the Australian authorities approached us to offer any assistance,” he said.
The green bin containing Ms Madhagani’s body was found in a paddock near Geelong
‘I had to make all the arrangements for the repatriation of the body myself.
‘I am anxiously waiting for the mortal remains of my daughter to return, to have one last look.
“I am also requesting the Australian authorities to provide me with the autopsy report.”
It has also been reported that the parents have asked for a photo of Madhagani’s body.
The grieving father also said Indian police had failed to register his report about the incident because it was an Australian case.
“I hope strict action will be taken,” Madhagani said.
It was previously reported by the ABC that Mr Varikuppala told Ms Madhagani’s parents he tried to “mute” their daughter during an argument with his hands and she choked.
Varikuppala’s parents have reportedly offered to look after and school their granddaughter Ayra (pictured)
Victoria Police said Varikuppala is a person of interest in their investigation into Madhagani’s death and that he was still overseas despite his claim that he would return to Australia.
Madhagani and Mr Varikuppala were married for 12 years and had appeared happy by many reports from neighbors in the Melbourne suburb of Point Cook, where the family had lived for three years.
However, close family friend Praveen Kumar Thopucherla – who has known the couple for seven years – told Daily Mail Australia that the family’s ‘internal problems’ were well known to friends, and described their marriage as ‘love and arranged’.
“I think they went deeper (than) it appears,” he said.
Victoria Police said that “due to the seriousness of the matter there is much we are unfortunately unable to comment on and this includes “any connection with the victim’s family”.
Daily Mail Australia has also approached the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment on Balshetty Madhagani’s claims.
