Siliguri, 25th December: A wave of shock and suspicion has spread in the Hakim Para area along Bankim Chandra Road under Ward No. 15 of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation following the mysterious deaths of a husband and wife within a gap of a few months. Relatives have alleged that the deaths were suspicious and have demanded a proper investigation.
According to information, residents of the area Bimalangshu Sarkar, also known as Bulu Sarkar, lived in the house with his wife Gopa Sarkar and their son Soumyadeep Sarkar. As per the complaint, Bimalangshu Sarkar died late at night on 27th October. Relatives alleged that his last rites were performed the same night without informing extended family members or relatives, and they were informed only the next day.
Nearly two months later, on 21st December, Gopa Sarkar also died. Relatives have alleged that, in this case too, the cremation was carried out during the night by a few people and the matter came to light only the following day. This further intensified suspicion among the relatives.
Based on these allegations, a written complaint was lodged on 22nd December at the Panitanki Outpost against son Soumyadeep Sarkar and a few others. After receiving the complaint, police reached the spot and started an investigation.
Relatives have questioned why the deceased were not taken to a hospital if the deaths were natural, and why the cremations were carried out in haste without informing anyone. When asked, the son reportedly claimed that the death occurred due to food getting stuck in the throat followed by a heart attack. However, relatives said they were not satisfied with this explanation.
A relative stated that they had spoken to Gopa Sarkar over the phone around 10 p.m. on the night of her death and that she had also gone shopping at a nearby store earlier in the evening. According to them, everything appeared normal, raising questions about how the death occurred within such a short span and why the cremation was conducted secretly.
Relatives said that while Bimalangshu Sarkar’s death was somewhat accepted due to his physical illness, they are unable to accept Gopa Sarkar’s death. They have alleged that the deaths may have been planned and linked to a land dispute, also claiming that the elderly couple had faced harassment earlier.
On Thursday, relatives and local residents jointly submitted a memorandum with mass signatures at the Panitanki Outpost, demanding a swift and impartial investigation and strict punishment for those responsible. Meanwhile, Soumyadeep Sarkar is reportedly absconding. Police have begun a detailed probe into the entire matter.