12 Kolkata: A youth, Avik Das (27), was found dead on his wedding night on Tuesday in Sodepur. His bride, Beauty Roy, who was found seated beside his body, was detained for questioning.
The cause of death was yet to be known and forensic experts examined the scene, said police.
A relative of Avik claimed they heard a heated exchange between the couple earlier in the night. Das and Roy had been in a long-term relationship, but their families did not approve of it. But determined to be together, the couple got married at a friend's rented house in Sodepur's Nabapally. The wedding was attended by a few relatives and friends, and celebrations continued late into Monday night.
A relative said after the reception, an argument broke out between the couple. "Beauty wanted to return home, but Avik insisted she stayed. This led to an altercation," the relative said. Shortly later, Das was found dead, with his wife sitting beside him through the night.
On Tuesday morning, it was the house's landlord who discovered the body. "Beauty is my friend, and she requested me to accommodate them at my rented house for the night after their wedding. I was asleep in the adjoining room, when my landlord informed me that Beauty's husband was dead and that Beauty was sitting beside his body," said Priyanka Dutta, Beauty's friend.
As news of the death spread, residents of the area gathered at the house. Police from the Ghola police station arrived, recovered the body, and detained Beauty for questioning.
Local councillor Supriya Debnath expressed shock at the incident. "The sudden death of a newly wed groom on his wedding night is unsettling. We demand an immediate and thorough investigation," she said.
Police indicated that there was no immediate sign of foul play, though all possibilities were being examined. Statements from families on both sides as well as wedding guests were being recorded. "We are investigating if the victim suffered a stroke during the wedding celebration. The exact cause of death will be determined after the autopsy. An unnatural death case has been registered," said a senior officer of the Barrackpore Commissionerate.