Tailor arrested in Bengal for murdering bank employee who came to recover loan

Bengal Police have arrested Sheikh Shamsuddin, 25, a tailor, on charges of murdering Partha Chakraborty, 26, an employee of Bandhan Bank. The victim visited Sheikh’s residence in Howrah district to recover part of the loan the tailor had taken from the bank. Chakraborty’s body was chopped into pieces and dumped at different locations.

The crime took place on the afternoon of August 29 at Shamsuddin’s house from where he runs his business. The police arrested the prime suspect within 48 hours of the grisly murder. Shamsuddin’s father was also arrested on Saturday evening for allegedly helping his son hide evidence.

The police recovered from Shamsuddin a sum of Rs 3.5 lakh that he allegedly took from the victim. Chakraborty had collect the cash from other creditors. In fact, more than 25 creditors who live in the area had assembled at Shamsuddin’s residence when the murder took place. Although the meeting was scheduled, all of them claimed to have heard or seen nothing.

Shamsuddin’s father, Sheikh Mansur Ali, was first detained for questioning and later arrested. An officer said police have doubts whether the entire operation could be done by Shamsuddin alone.

Shamsuddin used to stich clothes and supply to a businessman. According to the police, he took a loan of Rs 1.5 lakh to fund the tiny venture.

“It is suspected that first he hit Chakraborty on the head with a bamboo. When the youth passed out, his head and limbs were severed. The torso was packed in a bag and dumped at one location. The limbs and head were carried on a motorcycle and dumped near NH6 at Ankurhati,” said Gaurav Sharma, superintendent of Howrah Police.

To conceal the identity of the victim, Shamsuddin had even ripped out a mole which was Chakraborty’s birth mark.

“We have come to know that Shamsuddin took a loan of Rs 1.5 lakh. He was defaulting on repayment, and Chakraborty insisted that he pays up,” said Sharma.

On August 29, Chakraborty called up Shamsuddin before visiting his house.

Chakraborty’s torso, with head and limbs severed, was found in a bag at Domjur in Howrah district, about 20 km to the west of Kolkata.

Incidentally, a manufacturer’s label that is stitched to clothes was instrumental in leading the cops to Shamsuddin.

“At the spot where the torso was found, police spotted the label and small pieces of clothes that are typically the waste produced by tailors. We tracked down those who are into similar business in the area. One of the people we contacted identified the label and said he gave these to Shamsuddin,” said Sharma.

Chakraborty was a resident of Chakdaha in Nadia district, about 66 km to the north of Kolkata. However he used to live in Domjur in Howrah. His main job was to collect money from creditors of the bank.

“He was the only child of his parents and the sole earning member of the family. We want exemplary punishment for the culprit,” said the victim’s uncle.

“The brutality he was subjected to was incredible. We cremated parts of his body two days ago. Today, we may have to cremate some parts,” he remarked.

First Published: Sep 01, 2018 21:33 IST