Police in West Bengal’s Bankura district arrested a 45‑year‑old man on Monday night after he allegedly beheaded his wife and killed his father. The suspect, identified as Mangal Choudhury, is being held while investigators examine the circumstances of the killings, including reports of a possible tantric ritual connection.
Details of the killings
The violent episode unfolded in the Lal Baba Manachar area along the Damodar River, close to the boundary between the Sonamukhi police station in Bankura district and the Kanksa police station in Paschim Bardhaman district. According to police sources, Choudhury first attacked his 39‑year‑old wife, Rumpa Choudhury, and severed her head. The severed head was later found placed before a trident at a small shrine inside the family’s house. After the wife’s murder, Choudhury is alleged to have turned his weapon on his father, Rajendra Choudhury, who was about 60 years old, killing him in the courtyard of the same residence.
Local residents reported that after the two killings, Choudhury moved through the village wielding a knife, causing panic among neighbours. One neighbour said the accused also tried to assault his brother, who managed to escape. The suspect allegedly injured one of his own fingers during the episode, a wound later treated at a local hospital.
Police response and suspect’s condition
Officers from both Sonamukhi and Kanksa police stations arrived at the scene after receiving information about the incident. They recovered both bodies and sent them for post‑mortem examinations. The police arrested Choudhury on the spot and transferred him to Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital for treatment of the finger injury. Because he was receiving medical care, officials said he could not be produced before a court immediately.
Investigators are questioning neighbours and other individuals who may have knowledge of the family’s activities or the events leading up to the murders. Police have not yet disclosed a motive, but they are probing whether any external influence or instigation played a role.
Possible tantric angle under investigation
Among the leads being pursued is a potential link to tantric practices. Local residents noted that the Choudhury family regularly performed prayers at a temple inside their house and that a tantric practitioner frequently visited the household. While these observations have fueled speculation in the community, police have not confirmed any definitive connection between the alleged rituals and the killings.
The investigative team said they are examining all aspects of the case, including the reported religious practices, to determine whether they are relevant to the motive or method of the murders. No official statement has linked the deaths directly to occult activity, and the police continue to treat the case as a homicide investigation pending further evidence.
The incident has left the surrounding village in shock, with two members of the same family dead and lingering questions about what prompted the extreme violence. Authorities have urged anyone with additional information to come forward, emphasizing that the investigation remains ongoing.
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