The police investigation into the triple murder that shocked Kolkata last month has revealed that it was a staggering debt of Rs 16 crore that served as a catalyst for the deaths of Sudeshna Dey, sister-in-law Romi Dey, and Romi’s 14-year-old daughter. All three were allegedly murdered by Romi’s husband, businessman Prasun Dey, who has confessed to the murders, the police said on Tuesday.
The bodies of the two women and the minor girl were recovered from a three-storey house in east Kolkata’s Tangra neighbourhood on February 19.
In a chilling account of the events that occurred on February 17 and 18, Prasun allegedly told the police that he, his brother Pranay, his sister-in-law Sudeshna, his wife Romi attempted suicide on February 17 but failed. “As per his statement, they had Plan B ready. They had decided that if they woke up alive, they would help each other end their lives,” a police official told The Indian Express.
Prasun allegedly told the police that he convinced Romi to help him murder their daughter on February 18. “As per Prasun, Romi held her daughter’s feet while he smothered her with a pillow till they confirmed she was dead. After that, Prasun slit the wrists and throats of Romi and his sister-in-law Sudeshna and killed them. He broke down several times after confessing to killing his wife, daughter and sister-in-law,” the official added.
According to the police, Pranay and his 15-year-old son were upstairs at the time of the murders and were allegedly aware of what was happening downstairs. After the murders, Prasun allegedly consumed sleeping pills and slept. In the afternoon, Pranay and his son allegedly came downstairs and planned their next move – the accident where they intentionally crashed their vehicle into a Metro pillar in an attempt to end their lives. It was this accident that led to the recovery of the bodies.
“Overall, they had a debt of Rs 16 crore. Their house was mortgaged and there was no money in their bank account. They owned three cars and the EMIs of two cars were due…close to Rs 47 lakh,” Rupesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime, said on Tuesday.
According to police sources, though their father had established a successful business, Pranay and Prasun indulged in extravagant spending instead of focusing on business growth. Despite their financial difficulties, they maintained a lavish lifestyle, including frequent foreign trips, the sources added.
As the investigation progresses, the police are planning to arrest Pranay, who is currently hospitalised, and intend to interrogate both brothers face-to-face. The police are also likely to add further charges beyond murder.
The police are also worried about Pranay’s son as they have been unable to find any relatives willing to take custody of him. “We have tried to contact all their relatives but no one is interested. We may have to shift him to a children’s home,” a senior police official, who is part of the investigation team, said.
Meanwhile, Prasun, who was produced in Sealdah court on Tuesday, refused free legal aid for his representation in the case.