A decomposed body of housewife Sharmistha Modak was found in a bag in Teliamura, Tripura. Police arrested her husband, Gopal Modak, and secured four-day remand as investigations continue into the shocking murder that has stunned the local community.
In a shocking case that has horrified residents of Teliamura in Tripura, police have arrested a man for allegedly murdering his wife and disposing of her body in a bag. The decomposed body of the woman, identified as 36-year-old Sharmistha Modak, was recovered from a secluded area near Nayabari in Melapathar village, under Teliamura police station limits.
According to police sources, the grisly discovery was made following a complaint lodged by Sharmistha’s father, who reported her missing after she failed to respond to calls and visits. Acting on the complaint, police launched an investigation that eventually led to the arrest of her second husband, Gopal Modak, from Amar Colony in Kalyanpur.
Police Action and Investigation
Police sources confirmed that the decomposed body, packed inside a bag, was recovered late last week. Preliminary examination suggested that the woman might have been murdered several days ago before the body was dumped. Forensic experts have been called in to ascertain the exact cause and time of death.
Following initial interrogation and circumstantial evidence, the police detained Gopal Modak, who was later formally arrested. On Monday afternoon, he was produced before the Khowai District Court, where investigators requested a five-day remand for questioning. The court granted four days of police custody to facilitate further investigation into the case.
Community in Shock
The gruesome discovery has sent shockwaves through Nayabari and neighboring areas, where locals have expressed disbelief and anger over the incident. Residents described Sharmistha as a quiet and well-mannered woman who had been living with her husband in the area for some time.
Community members have urged the authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation, emphasizing that justice should be delivered swiftly. Many have also demanded that the police explore whether any accomplices or additional suspects were involved in concealing the crime.
Background and Motive Under Probe
While police have refrained from sharing specific details due to the ongoing investigation, sources suggest that the couple may have been facing marital disputes for some time. Officers are currently verifying whether financial disagreements or domestic conflict may have contributed to the crime.
Investigators are also cross-checking phone records, statements from neighbors, and other forensic evidence to build a stronger case. “We are still in the early stages of the investigation. Certain details cannot be disclosed at this point, as they could affect the case,” said a senior police officer from Teliamura.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The accused, Gopal Modak, remains in police custody while the investigation continues. Authorities have indicated that further questioning will focus on identifying potential motives, reconstructing the timeline of events leading up to the murder, and tracing how the body was transported and concealed.
Police have also reached out to forensic experts to conduct detailed tests on the recovered body and the bag in which it was found. DNA sampling and autopsy reports are expected to play a crucial role in establishing both the identity and cause of death.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from various social groups and women’s rights organizations in the region, who have called for stricter measures to prevent domestic violence and protect women’s safety in rural areas.
Growing Concerns Over Domestic Crimes
This case adds to the growing concern over domestic violence-related crimes in Tripura, particularly in semi-urban and rural belts where social and economic pressures often remain hidden. Activists have urged the state government to strengthen awareness programs, improve women’s helplines, and ensure better coordination between local police stations and social welfare departments.
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As the investigation continues, residents of Teliamura and nearby areas remain anxious for clarity and justice. For now, all eyes are on the outcome of the police remand and the evidence that emerges from the forensic examination — which may ultimately reveal how a tragic domestic dispute turned into a chilling case of murder and concealment.
