KOLKATA: Mass murder or death by suicide pact – Kolkata police are examining the what-ifs and whodunits involving a prominent business family in the city’s leather trade, reports Dwaipayan Ghosh.
The case involves a car crash early Wednesday that left two brothers Prasun Dey (45), Pranay Dey (44), and Pranay’s son Pratip (14) critically injured, while Prasun’s wife Romi, daughter Priyamvada, and sister-in-law Sudeshna were found dead in their home in the Tangra neighbourhood.
The autopsy revealed Romi had injuries on both wrists and a throat slash, while Sudeshna suffered similar wounds – indicating murder. Priyamvada, 14, died of poisoning and had multiple injury marks, suggesting she suffered before death. However, the two women had no traces of poison.
Police have registered a murder case on the basis of a complaint by Romi’s father against unknown persons. However, police have not ruled out a possible suicide pact involving Sudeshna and Romi.
Pranay and Prasun said their wives were part of a collective death plan. The nature of the cuts suggested the women were unconscious or asleep when attacked. The brothers said the family had sleeping pills mixed in ‘payesh’ (kheer).
Financial troubles appear to be at the heart of the tragedy.