According to police, the three men attacked the couple inside their apartment in Tollygunge on Thursday evening. They allegedly entered the house before the homeowner, Debashish Dey, could react, and attacked him, attempting to cover his mouth with cello tape. His wife Poonam Dey reportedly began to scream, alleging that this prompted the attackers to fire a round in the air before fleeing the scene. The couple also alleged that the three men were attempting a robbery. No injuries were sustained during the incident.

“All three are residents of a neighbouring state,” said an official, adding that the Anti Rowdy Squad of the Kolkata Police has arrested them and they will be produced in court on Friday.

“Police are investigating how the men got the firearm. Besides, they are trying to identify the accused by looking at CCTV footage of the street,” added the official. Another official of Kolkata Police’s intelligence department, who did not want to be named, said, “We have not found any evidence of firing so far.”

“We know (one of the accused) as a sweeper. Sometimes, he does work at our house. For the past few days, he had been calling my husband saying he doesn’t have any work, and asking if there was something he could do,” recounted Poonam Dey.

She added, “Yesterday he came and we allowed him inside, thinking he must have come to clean our bathroom. Soon, two unknown men, who were hiding near the stairs, entered our house with him. We asked why they were here but before we could realise, they grabbed my husband and tried to shut his mouth with cello tape. I saw that and kept screaming.”

Manisha Bose, councillor of ward 87 which covers the area, expressed displeasure over the incident, calling it “shocking”.