When a heated argument turned fatal: Kolkata techie killed by live-in partner, mother

In a shocking incident, a woman and her mother were arrested in Kolkata on Sunday in connection with the murder of the daughter's live-in partner.

The victim was identified as Sarthak Sarkar, a 25-year-old software engineer. His body was recovered on Saturday night from a rented flat in the city's Garia area, where he lived with his girlfriend, Sanchalika Basu. According to reports, Sanchalika's mother, Moumita, also lived with them. 

Sarkar was allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon following a heated argument on Saturday night. 

According to officials, a preliminary police investigation suggests that an argument broke out between Sarthak and Sanchalika on Saturday night, following which Sanchalika allegedly attacked him with a sharp weapon, striking him on the shoulder.

Though he was rushed to hospital, he was declared dead by doctors on arrival. An investigation is underway to find out what triggered the argument and whether Moumita was involved in the alleged attack. 

Police said that the incident came to light at around 1:30 am on Sunday, when neighbours who responded to the woman's cries for help found Sarthak lying in a pool of blood. Scratch marks on her neck were also noted by the neighbours.

"We were awake when we heard a woman crying and asking for help. We immediately rushed to the flat and found a young man lying in a pool of blood on the bed. The woman who had sought our help had several scratch marks on her neck," a resident was quoted by TOI. 

Another resident recalled that the couple had been living in the locality for some time but rarely interacted with neighbours. 

“The woman and her mother’s roles in the incident are being examined. The exact weapon used in the attack will be established after questioning," Baruipur police district superintendent of police Aravind Kumar Anand said.