Kolkata triple murder: Rs 16 crore debt, suicide pact led to shocking family tragedy

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A staggering debt of Rs 16 crore served as a catalyst for the triple murder that shocked Kolkata last month. Three members of a family were on February 19 found dead in their home on the outskirts of Kolkata.

According to the police, the bodies of Sudeshna Dey, Romi Dey and 14-year-old girl were found inside a three-story home in the Tangra neighbourhood of east Kolkata. All three were allegedly murdered by Romi’s husband, Prasun Dey, who has confessed to the murders. According to police, the Rs 16 crore debt could have led to the murders.

"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," said Rupesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime.

He allegedly told the police that on February 17, he along with his wife Romi, sister-in-law Sudeshna and brother Pranay attempted suicide but were unsuccessful. However, they had a backup plan. According to a police official quoted by the Indian Express, they took the decision to assist one another in taking their own lives if they awoke alive.

On March 4, Prasun was interrogated for hours by the Kolkata Police after his release from the hospital. He sustained injuries in an apparent suicide attempt.

As per the investigation, Prasun persuaded Romi to assist him in killing their daughter. According to Prasun, Romi held her daughter's feet as he used a pillow to smother her until it was confirmed that she was dead. Prasun then killed Romi and his sister-in-law Sudeshna by slitting their wrists and throats.

Later that night, Prasun Dey left the house in a car with his brother and nephew. After 3 am, their car hit a pillar. The brother later alleged that they took that step to die by suicide. The police will record Pranoy Dey's statement and take him into custody after he receives treatment  for his injuries. The Dey brothers had been undergoing treatment at the state-run Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata under police watch after sustaining injuries in the apparent suicide attempt.