KOLKATA: The investigation into the murder of 25-year-old software engineer Sarthak Sarkar in Kolkata remains inconclusive, with police yet to establish what was used to inflict the fatal injury to his throat and who delivered the blow.Investigators are examining whether a thin, pointed object, possibly a chopstick, was used in the attack. They are also trying to reconstruct the sequence of events inside the rented flat in Fartabad, Garia, where Sarkar was found critically injured late on Saturday night.Sarkar’s live-in partner, Sanchalika Basu (22), and her mother, Moumita Basu, have been arrested in connection with the murder. However, police have not been able to establish a clear account of what happened, despite questioning the two women in custody.
Contradictory accounts complicate investigation
According to police, the mother and daughter have given contradictory statements during interrogation.Sanchalika allegedly told investigators at one point that Sarkar had injured his own throat with a pair of scissors. On another occasion, she reportedly said she could not remember what had happened during the heated argument.Investigators are trying to verify these claims and determine whether scissors or another sharp object was used in the attack.Police also suspect that Sarkar was assaulted during an argument with Sanchalika. They are examining the exact circumstances in which Moumita entered the room and whether she had any role in the attack.
Argument over alleged relationships before murder
The couple had reportedly been quarrelling for some time over allegations of extramarital relationships.On Saturday night, an argument allegedly broke out between them while they were drinking. Both reportedly accused each other of being involved with multiple partners.Investigators suspect that the confrontation turned violent, leaving Sarkar with a fatal injury. However, the precise sequence of events and the role played by each of the two arrested women remain unclear.
Neighbours heard screams, found man lying in blood
Sarkar, a resident of Barasat, had been living in the rented flat at Fartabad with Sanchalika. Her mother, Moumita, also stayed with them.Residents said they were alerted to the incident around 1.30 am when a woman ran out of the flat, crying and seeking help.“We were still awake when we heard a woman crying and asking for help. We immediately rushed to the flat and found a young man lying in a pool of blood on the bed. The woman who had sought our help had several scratch marks on her neck. We immediately informed the police,” said Sayan Pal, a Garia resident.He added that some occupants of the same building had heard a heated argument and loud noises coming from the flat shortly before the incident.Another local resident, Arkojeet Basu, said the couple had been living in the area for some time but rarely interacted with neighbours.“They did not mix much with people in the neighbourhood. We were shocked to learn about the incident in the morning,” he said.Sarkar was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police are continuing to question the arrested women and examine the evidence to establish how the attack took place.
