Wife performs hush-last rites of husband in North Kolkata; family lodges murder case

A sensational case has emerged from the Sinthi area of Kolkata, where a father has filed a police complaint accusing his daughter-in-law of physically torturing and murdering his son. The deceased, identified as 43-year-old Shubhashis Chakraborty, had been living with his wife, Devika Saha, at his in-laws' residence in Santrapara Lane for the past seven years. Shubhashis, who previously worked as a medical representative for a pharmaceutical company, lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic and had since been suffering from severe neurological issues and failing health.

According to investigative sources, Shubhashis's physical condition deteriorated drastically over the last ten to fifteen days. Although a local physician examined him, noted dangerously low blood pressure, and strongly advised immediate hospitalization, Shubhashis remained at home. On the morning of June 10, after having his breakfast, he went to sleep and never woke up. When Devika failed to get a response from him later that day, the family called the local doctor again, who officially declared Shubhashis dead.

The case took a suspicious turn when Devika allegedly proceeded to rush the final rites and cremate her husband at Ratanbabu Ghat without informing his biological family or aging father. Reports indicate that a few individuals associated with a local pharmacy named 'Sneha Medical' assisted Devika during the hasty funeral. Upon learning about the secret cremation, the distraught father approached the authorities, claiming his son was murdered and that the sudden last rites were performed solely to destroy incriminating evidence.

Acting promptly on the formal complaint, the Sinthi police have registered a criminal case under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 238(a) (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigating officers have already questioned local residents, neighbors, and pharmacy employees who assisted in the cremation. Furthermore, forensic experts are thoroughly examining the room where Shubhashis spent his final days to uncover the truth behind his untimely and mysterious demise.