Kolkata: A 25-year-old engineer was allegedly hacked to death by his live-in partner following a heated argument at their rented flat in Fartabad, Garia, late on Saturday night. Police have arrested the young woman and her mother in connection with the incident.The deceased, Sarthak Sarkar, a resident of Barasat, and had been living in the rented flat at Fartabad with his girlfriend and live-in partner, Sanchalika Basu. Sanchalika’s mother, Moumita Basu, also lived with them.According to preliminary police investigations, an argument broke out between Sarthak and Sanchalika over an issue on Saturday night. During the altercation, Sanchalika allegedly attacked him with a sharp weapon, striking him on the shoulder. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.Police suspect that Sanchalika’s mother may also have played a role in the incident. Investigators are trying to establish the circumstances that led to the argument and the mother’s alleged involvement.Residents said they were alerted to the incident around 1.30 am when a woman came running out of the flat, crying and seeking help.“We were still 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. We immediately informed the police,” said Sayan Pal, a Garia resident.He added that some occupants of the same building had heard a heated argument and loud noises coming from the flat shortly before the incident.Another local resident, Arkojeet Basu, said the couple had been living in the area for some time but rarely interacted with neighbours. “They did not mix much with people in the neighbourhood. We were shocked to learn about the incident in the morning,” he said.The Baruipur Police District superintendent of police, Aravind Kumar Anand, said the investigation was at a preliminary stage. “ 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.”Police are questioning the two women and investigating the motive behind the alleged murder.
