West Bengal: Man beheads wife, murders father; places severed head outside temple

Bankura: A man has been arrested for allegedly beheading his wife and killing his father with a sharp weapon in West Bengal’s Bankura district, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday night near the Damodar River, close to the boundary between Bankura and Paschim Bardhaman districts.

The accused, identified as Mangal Choudhury, allegedly killed his 39-year-old wife, Rumpa Choudhury, before attacking his father, Rajendra Choudhury, who was around 60 years old.

According to police, the woman’s severed head was placed at a temple, causing alarm among local residents. Rajendra’s body was found in the courtyard of the house.

The accused also allegedly attempted to attack his brother, who managed to escape from the scene, TOI reported.

The incident occurred at Nat Lalbaba Manachar, along the Damodar River, near the jurisdictional boundary of Sonamukhi police station in Bankura and Kanksa police station in Paschim Bardhaman.

Personnel from both police stations reached the location after receiving information about the killings. The bodies were recovered, and arrangements were being made to send them for post-mortem examinations, sources at Sonamukhi police station said.

The motive of the murders remains unclear, and police have not established whether the murders were connected to occult practices or whether another person had influenced the accused.

Local residents reportedly said that Mangal and his wife regularly visited a temple to offer prayers. However, police have not confirmed any connection between their religious practices and the murders.

Police said Mangal was arrested on Monday. However, he could not be produced before a court as he had sustained an injury to one of his fingers.

He was admitted to Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital for treatment, officials said.