Police arrested Mangal Choudhury for killing his wife and father in West Bengal's Bankura. Investigators are probing a possible tantric angle, though no connection has been confirmed.
Investigators are examining the sequence of events that led to the killings, including reports that the accused injured one of his fingers before the incident. (Credits: Nirbhik Chowdhury)
Bankura, West Bengal,Oct 21, 2026 08:07 IST
A man was arrested after beheading his wife and killing his father with a sharp weapon in West Bengal’s Bankura district on Monday night. The incident triggered panic in the area, with local residents reporting that the accused was seen roaming the village with a knife after the killings.
The incident took place in the Lal Baba Manachar area along the Damodar River, near the boundary between Sonamukhi police station in Bankura district and Kanksa police station in Paschim Bardhaman district.
The accused, identified as Mangal Choudhury, allegedly killed his wife, Rumpa Choudhury, 39, before attacking his father, Rajendra Choudhury, who was around 60 years old.
According to local accounts, the woman’s severed head was placed before a trident at a place of worship inside the house. Her husband was also accused of killing his father in the courtyard.
Police personnel from Sonamukhi and Kanksa police stations reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. They recovered both bodies, which were being sent for post-mortem examinations, police sources said.
ACCUSED REPORTEDLY ROAMED VILLAGE WITH KNIFE
According to local residents, Mangal also attempted to attack his brother, who managed to escape. The accused was subsequently seen moving around the village with a knife, creating fear among residents.
Police brought the situation under control and arrested Mangal. Investigators are examining the sequence of events that led to the killings, including reports that the accused injured one of his fingers before the incident.
Mangal was admitted to Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital for treatment of his injured finger. Police said he could not be produced before a court immediately because he was receiving medical treatment.
POLICE PROBE POSSIBLE TANTRIC RITUAL ANGLE
Investigators are examining whether the killings were connected to tantric practices, although police have not confirmed any such link.
Local residents said Mangal and his wife regularly performed prayers at a temple inside their house. They also claimed that a tantric practitioner frequently visited the family. These accounts have prompted speculation in the locality about whether the incident was connected to occult practices.
However, the motive behind the double murder remains unclear. Investigators are also examining whether anyone else influenced or instigated the accused.
Police are questioning people who may have information about the family and the events leading up to the killings.
The incident has left residents of the area shocked, with two members of the same family dead and questions remaining about what led to the violence.
Police are investigating all aspects of the case, including the reported religious practices at the house, without confirming a connection between them and the killings.
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With inputs from PTI and Nirbhik Chowdhury