A shocking incident of violence unfolded in a central Kolkata guest house on Sunday, where a 38-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed multiple times by her boyfriend after she tried to stop him from attempting suicide. The victim, identified as Baishakhi Das, sustained severe injuries to her neck and shoulder and is currently hospitalized.
Chilling Sequence of Events at Sealdah Guest House
The attack was reported from 'PP's Nest' Guest House located at 159, BB Ganguly Street in the Koley Market area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Muchipara Police Station. According to police, the information about the assault was received around 4:15 pm on Sunday from a person named Bishwarup Pal.
The authorities stated that a boarder staying in Room No. 412 had assaulted his girlfriend with a knife, causing profuse bleeding. Guest house staff immediately rushed the victim, a resident of Malidaha in North 24 Parganas, to NRS Hospital for emergency treatment.
Swift Police Action and Arrest
Duty officers from Muchipara Police Station quickly reached the spot, cordoned off the area, and detained the accused. The police identified him as Pradeep Kumar Selvaraj, a resident of JV Nagar near Madipakkam in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
During the investigation, officers seized crucial evidence under videography. The seized items included the sharp-edged knife used in the attack, bloodstains from the floor and bedsheet, the guest house register, and the identification documents of both the victim and the accused.
Relationship and Motive Behind the Attack
Interrogation revealed that Selvaraj had met Baishakhi Das approximately four months ago during a visit to Kolkata. They remained in contact via WhatsApp and phone calls afterwards. Selvaraj returned to Kolkata about 18 days ago, and the couple went to Digha, where they stayed for 15 days. They returned to Kolkata and checked into PP's Nest on December 26.
According to the investigating officer, the accused claimed that a quarrel broke out when he attempted to consume rat poison in an alleged suicide attempt. "When the victim intervened to stop him, he became enraged and stabbed her on the shoulder with a knife," the officer said. Selvaraj told police he had purchased the knife from Sealdah Market with the intention of harming himself. Police are working to verify his claims, noting that his statement prima facie matches the victim's account.
Background of the Accused and Ongoing Probe
The probe further uncovered that Pradeep Kumar Selvaraj had been unemployed for the past four years and was financially dependent on his brother in Chennai. His passport indicated a trip to Dubai in 2023 in search of employment, as his sister resides there. Police and local sources also indicated that the couple had rented the room using fake documents.
Selvaraj has been formally arrested and charged with attempted murder. Meanwhile, Baishakhi Das continues to receive treatment at the hospital. The police have recorded her statement and the investigation is ongoing to piece together the complete sequence of events leading to the violent attack.
