On run for 2 months, prime suspect in Behala murder case arrested

After over two months on the run, Kolkata Police has finally arrested Kartik Das, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of a young woman in Behala. Authorities had even announced a ₹50,000 reward for any information leading to his capture, as he remained absconding since January.

The case dates back to January 23, when a young woman rented a house in Behala’s Diamond Park area, introducing herself as a newlywed. However, after an entire day of silence from her room, the landlord grew suspicious. Around 1:30 PM, he approached the door and noticed bloodstains outside. Upon forcing the door open, he was met with a horrific sight—the woman lay dead on the floor, bound and gagged, with her throat slit.

Police officers from Lalbazar, along with forensic experts, rushed to the crime scene. A blood-stained sharp weapon, liquor bottles, and the victim’s mobile phone were recovered from the room. Sniffer dogs were also deployed to trace the suspect, but he had already vanished.

Initially, the victim was believed to be Molina Das, based on the Aadhaar card she provided to the landlord. However, that identity turned out to be forged. Later that night, a man approached the police, claiming the deceased was his daughter, Chhaya Sardar, a domestic worker from Silpara, Behala.

According to the landlord, the victim had introduced a young man as her husband, Kartik Das, who frequently visited her. However, after the murder, Kartik disappeared, raising immediate suspicion. Kolkata Police launched a relentless manhunt, and after two and a half months, he was finally arrested in Kolkata.

During interrogation, Kartik Das confessed to being in a relationship with Chhaya Sardar. The exact motive for the murder is still under investigation, but authorities suspect a personal dispute. Kolkata Police is now examining the timeline of events leading up to the crime and gathering further evidence.