Guwahati: Ramanujan Goswami, the prime accused in the murder of his 25-year-old wife Riya Talukdar Goswami in Guwahati’s Hatigaon area, surrendered at Hatigaon Police Station and was subsequently arrested by police.

The development comes as investigators probe the circumstances surrounding the killing at a flat in Basisthapur Bylane, where Riya’s body was recovered after neighbours alerted police over a foul smell coming from the residence.

Preliminary findings have revealed disturbing details about the incident. Investigators suspect that Riya’s head was severed and allegedly placed inside a refrigerator after being wrapped in a black polythene bag. Her fingers were also reportedly found to have been cut.

Police recovered a sharp weapon from the apartment, along with several liquor bottles. Bloodstains were also detected at the scene, while household belongings appeared to have been scattered inside the flat.

A forensic examination of the apartment has indicated that Riya was murdered. Investigators have preliminarily estimated that the killing took place between 24 and 48 hours before her body was recovered.

Her body was subsequently sent to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for post-mortem examination. Forensic and fingerprint teams have been examining the apartment and collecting evidence to establish the sequence of events leading up to and following the killing.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is also assisting with the investigation. Officials are examining the circumstances preceding the incident and other evidence gathered from the apartment.

Riya and Goswami had reportedly married around six months ago and were living together in the flat. Goswami, who works as an Uber driver, is originally from Gauripur. The apartment was reportedly built on land that belonged to his father. The land was later sold to a builder, under an agreement through which a house was provided to Goswami’s father.

Riya was a resident of Noonmati and worked at a boutique in the AC Market area of Fancy Bazar. She had reportedly lost both her parents and had a brother.

With Goswami now in police custody, investigators are expected to question him about the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death. The motive behind the alleged murder has not yet been established, and police are continuing to examine the forensic and other evidence collected from the apartment.