Four family members found dead in locked Rangpur house

Four members of a family, including a former teacher of Rangpur Zilla School, were found dead at a house in Rangpur city on Saturday night, triggering widespread shock in the area.

The deceased were identified as Ganapati Chakraborty, his wife Pritilata Chakraborty, their son Priyam Chakraborty and daughter Agami Chakraborty.

Police suspect they may have been strangled, as ropes were found around the victims’ necks.

Their bodies were recovered from different parts of the under-construction two-storey house in the Machuapara area of Kamal Kachna. Pritilata and Agami were found near the staircase leading to the roof, Priyam’s body was discovered under a bed, while Ganapati’s body was found on one side of the rooftop.

Police said the bodies appeared to have been lying there for several days, as a strong smell of decomposition had spread throughout the house.

The incident came to light after relatives lost contact with the family. On Saturday night, Pritilata’s sister, Puja Chakraborty, tried calling the family members several times but received no response. She later went to the house and found it dark and locked, prompting her to alert police.

Police and firefighters subsequently entered the house and recovered the four bodies.

Investigators found household belongings scattered across several rooms, while cupboards and areas where money and jewellery were kept showed signs of being broken into. Police are therefore investigating the possibility that the killings were linked to a robbery.

The family had only recently started living on the second floor of the newly constructed house. The ground floor was still vacant, and neighbours said they had not yet developed close ties with the family.

Police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have launched an investigation and are collecting evidence from the scene.

Sanatan Chakraborty, deputy commissioner of the detective branch of Rangpur Metropolitan Police, said police initially believe the four were murdered and that the possible robbery was also being examined.

No suspect has been identified or arrested so far. Investigators are working to determine the motive and identify those responsible for the killings.