The brutal killing of an elderly woman, identified as Sulekha Dey, in the New Nagar Sarada Palli area has sent shockwaves through the locality, triggering widespread anger and unrest among residents. In a major development, police have detained the victim’s own daughter and son-in-law in connection with the murder.
According to police sources, the incident came to light on the afternoon of December 21, when Sulekha Dey was found lying in a pool of blood in the New Nagar Sarada Palli area. She was immediately rushed to GB Hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, she later succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment.
Following the incident, police launched an investigation and visited the victim’s residence, where they found visible bloodstains inside the house. During preliminary questioning, Sulekha Dey’s daughter, Bulti Dey, told the police that unidentified miscreants had entered the house, assaulted her mother by striking her on the head, and fled after snatching a gold chain from her neck.
However, investigators soon noticed inconsistencies in her statement. During inspection, police found that the victim was still wearing gold bangles on her hands and earrings in her ears, raising serious doubts about the claim of a robbery. This discrepancy deepened police suspicion.
After Sulekha Dey’s death at GB Hospital, police registered a murder case and initiated a full-scale investigation. During the course of the probe, it emerged that the elderly woman had allegedly been subjected to prolonged domestic abuse. Police received information that her daughter Bulti Dey and son-in-law Bishnu Dey frequently assaulted her.
Investigators further revealed that on December 21, a heated argument broke out over a fixed deposit worth approximately ₹2.5 lakh, which had reportedly been nominated in the name of another individual. Police suspect that this financial dispute escalated into violence, ultimately leading to the fatal assault on Sulekha Dey.
Under sustained interrogation, both Bulti Dey and Bishnu Dey reportedly confessed that they had assaulted Sulekha Dey and later taken her to the hospital. They also disclosed that the gold chain taken from her neck had been hidden at the house of a close relative.
Based on their statements, police arrested the accused and recovered the gold chain from the location indicated by them. On Tuesday, a senior police officer from the Sadar subdivision briefed the media at West Agartala Police Station, providing details of the investigation and arrests.
The accused have been produced before the court, and police have sought custody for further interrogation. Officials stated that more questioning is necessary to uncover all aspects of the crime. Preliminary findings suggest that greed for money and gold ornaments motivated the murder.
Local residents have demanded a fair, transparent, and impartial investigation, urging authorities to ensure strict legal action against those responsible for the heinous crime.
