A candlelight vigil will be held in Point Cook in memory of Chaitanya ‘Swetha’ Madhagani, whose body was discovered on the outskirts of Geelong nearly two weeks ago.
The vigil will be held at the Saltwater Reserve Amphitheatre in Point Cook at 6pm on Friday March 22.
“This vigil is an honour for Chaitanya ‘Swetha’ Madhagan, a member of our community whose life was ended abruptly and tragically,” said vigil organiser and Telugu Association of Australia president Chakri Chayanam.
The 35 year-old was an active member of the local Telugu community which is composed of immigrants from the southern Indian states of Telangana, Andra Pradesh and the Yanam district of Puducherry.
Ms Madhagani migrated to Australia from the Telangana capital, Hyderabad, a decade ago and lived in Point Cook with her husband and son.
Her body was found in a wheelie bin on a roadside near Winchelsea on Saturday March 9.
Police are treating her death as a homicide.
Her husband, Ashok Raj Varikuppala, is believed to have returned to India with the couple’s three year old son, Arya, in the days prior to the discovery and is considered a person of interest in the police investigation.
Chakri Chayanam said the Telugu community was grateful for the support they’d received during a traumatic period.
“We thank you to the Australian government, Vic Police, print and digital media who stood tall behind the Telugu community over the last two weeks,” he said.
A vigil was originally planned for the weekend following the discovery of Ms Madhgani’s body, but was postponed while plans were made for her to be returned back to India.
The silent vigil is open to the public and those attending are encouraged to sign a condolence book which will then be passed on to Ms Madhagani’s family.
