27-year-old was sole breadwinner of family after dad’s death 8 months ago
Times of India | 25 February 2025
12 Chandernagore: Her family's sole breadwinner ever since her father — a singer — passed away eight months ago, Sutandra Chatterjee (27), looked after her mother, Tanushree, and two ailing grandmoms, at their three-storey home in Chandernagore Narua Raypara. Sutandra, a professional dancer, had recently started her own event management firm — Moonwalk — based in Gaya. Ever since her father Sukanta died, she has been spending her time between her home and Gaya, where she worked extensively.
"She was my only child. What else I can say. Those who did this to my daughter, to us, should be punished," said Tanushree on her way to Panagarh. "My daughter had been home to attend a marriage function of one of her business associates. She left for work, as usual. She usually commuted along this route frequently. Never has anything like this happened in the past. She has no enemies. I do not know what safety measures were in place to prevent such an incident. I want the perpetrators' arrest. It has not happened till now," she said.
After the news reached the locality, the entire neighbourhood went in a state of shock and disbelief. The locals called her "Mam". They even referred to her love for dogs. "Whenever home, she herself cooked to feed the strays. She loved dancing. She started dancing when she was a kid. Recently, she and a local youth — Pradip Dutta — launched their own event management company. After her father died battling cancer, she started looking after her family. Her mother also does not stay well these days. Her grandmothers, too, are ailing. We are very worried about the family," a neighbour said.
After hearing about the accident, Tanushree left home for Panagarh. Biswajit Ray, who works in Chatterjee's event management firm, came to Raypara after receiving the news. Ray said, "We are mainly contacted for marriage parties. I too travelled with her a few days ago. Pradip, who stays at Jyotir More, Mintu and Mantu were with Didi (Sutandra). The driver was also with them. How can such an incident occur? I am at a loss for words."
Manju Oraon, who works in the Chatterjee household, reached their home for work on Monday when she broke down hearing the news. She said, "After Dada's (Chatterjee's father) death, Sutandra stayed here with her mother, ‘didima' and ‘thakuma'."
The neighbourhood which had planned a Shivratri celebration chose to cancel it. Dilip Hara and wife Pranati have a small vegetable shop beside the victim's house. The couple said, "Sutandra herself purchased vegetables last Saturday. We would not join the Shivratri programme."
Mohit Nandi, councillor of Ward 2 of Chandannagar Municipality, visited Sutandra's house. He said, "Sukanta was my classmate. He passed away recently. I cannot accept the news of his daughter's death. If what I'm hearing is true, then such wrongdoers should not be forgiven. They deserve exemplary punishment."