Elderly woman killed in Agartala over fixed deposit and scooter demand. Police arrest daughter and son-in-law after investigation reveals staged robbery, family disputes, and scientific evidence exposing the crime.
In a disturbing case that has shocked residents of Agartala, police have arrested a woman and her husband for allegedly killing the woman’s 70-year-old mother over financial disputes involving a fixed deposit and a demand for a new scooter. The crime reportedly took place at West Bubhanban under the jurisdiction of West Agartala Police Station.
The deceased has been identified as Sulekha Dey (70), who was living with her daughter Bulti Deb and son-in-law Bishnu Deb at the time of the incident. According to police officials, the elderly woman was brutally assaulted after she refused to meet what investigators described as “undue and persistent demands” made by the accused.
Police said the accused wanted Sulekha Dey to purchase a new scooter for her son-in-law and also demanded that she make her daughter the nominee of a fixed deposit worth approximately Rs 2.5 lakh, which was nearing maturity. The victim reportedly had different plans for using the money, leading to frequent domestic disputes.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, SDPO Sadar DP Ray revealed that the case initially appeared to be a robbery and assault by unidentified intruders. Ironically, it was the accused themselves who approached the police first.
“Initially, both Bulti Deb and Bishnu Deb lodged a complaint claiming that unknown assailants had entered their residence and assaulted the elderly woman,” Ray said. “They later shifted her to GB Pant Hospital for treatment, where she succumbed to her injuries during treatment.”
However, as the investigation progressed, police began noticing glaring inconsistencies in the statements provided by the complainants. Both the accused lived in the same house as the deceased, and their versions of events failed to match medical findings and forensic indicators.
With no immediate breakthrough from the robbery angle, investigators widened the scope of the probe. During this phase, police uncovered a pattern of frequent quarrels within the family, largely revolving around money and material demands.
According to SDPO Ray, Bishnu Deb had repeatedly demanded a new scooter from his mother-in-law, which she firmly refused. At the same time, Bulti Deb became aware that her mother’s fixed deposit of Rs 2.5 lakh was about to mature.
“Both accused wanted control over the money,” Ray said. “When the elderly woman realized their intentions and resisted, she was allegedly assaulted by both of them. She sustained grievous injuries, and fearing legal consequences, they took her to the hospital, where she later died.”
In an attempt to mislead investigators, the accused allegedly tried to portray the murder as a robbery. Police stated that the gold ornaments worn by the deceased were deliberately displaced to support this false narrative.
“Notably, the gold chain visible in her recent photographs was missing,” Ray explained. “Later, we recovered the gold chain from the possession of a relative of the deceased. The accused had instructed the relative to keep it temporarily to create the impression of theft.”
All items initially claimed to be stolen were subsequently recovered in the presence of an executive magistrate, further weakening the robbery claim.
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Officer-in-Charge of West Agartala Police Station, Rana Chatterjee, confirmed that digital and scientific evidence played a crucial role in solving the case.
“We collected digital footprints of all the accused persons,” Chatterjee said. “Based on scientific analysis and corroborative evidence, we concluded that the complainants themselves committed the offence. Every action after the incident was aimed at evading police scrutiny.”
Police have arrested both Bulti Deb and Bishnu Deb and are continuing further investigation. Legal proceedings are underway, and additional charges may be added based on forensic and post-mortem reports.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and sorrow, highlighting the growing concern over crimes against senior citizens, particularly within families. Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant and encouraged neighbors and relatives to report signs of domestic abuse, especially involving elderly individuals.
