Known fruit trader arrested for robbing old woman of gold jewelry in Kolkata
Here is a detailed report on the incident, written in a human journalistic style, suitable for a WordPress publication:
**Familiar Fruit Seller Preys on Elderly Woman in South Kolkata**
A chilling incident has shaken the ordinarily peaceful Netajinagar area of South Kolkata, where an elderly woman living alone was targeted and brutally attacked by a fruit seller known to her. The perpetrator, identified as Sukumar Baidya, allegedly slit the 76-year-old woman’s throat before robbing her of her gold jewelry. The victim, Krishna Roychowdhury, was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition but is thankfully surviving her ordeal.
The swift response of Netajinagar police, with assistance from Lalbazar detectives, led to Baidya’s apprehension within three days of the crime. He was apprehended in the Suryapur area of Baruipur in South 24 Parganas, with the stolen gold jewelry recovered. This case highlights a disturbing trend where vulnerable elderly individuals, often living alone, become soft targets for criminals.
**A Deceptive Familiarity**
Krishna Roychowdhury, a resident of Pallishree in Netajinagar, lives by herself as her two daughters are married and settled. A domestic helper attends to her daily needs. Sukumar Baidya, who regularly sold fruits in the Pallishree neighborhood, was a familiar face to Mrs. Roychowdhury. She would often purchase fruits from him and had even received plants from him due to her love for gardening.
Exploiting this established familiarity, Baidya began addressing Mrs. Roychowdhury as “Didima” (grandmother) and gained entry into her home under the guise of his regular visits. However, his intentions were far more sinister; his gaze had fallen upon the elderly woman’s gold ornaments.
**The Brutal Attack**
On Friday, Baidya arrived at Mrs. Roychowdhury’s residence with a knife concealed on his person, ostensibly to sell fruits. The elderly woman, unaware of the impending danger, asked him to water the plants. While she was occupied in the kitchen, Baidya crept up behind her and callously slit her throat with the knife. The victim collapsed to the floor, struggling for breath, as Baidya made off with her jewelry.
**Discovery and Immediate Aftermath**
Approximately twenty minutes later, the domestic helper arrived to find the door ajar. Her suspicion was immediately aroused, and upon entering, she discovered Mrs. Roychowdhury lying in a pool of blood. Her cries for help alerted the neighbors, who promptly transported the injured woman to M.R. Bangur Hospital. Later, her family admitted her to a private nursing home for further treatment. The news of the attack has also reached her daughters, who are by her side.
**A Desperate Chase Across Districts**
Upon receiving the distressing news, Netajinagar police and Lalbazar detectives launched an intensive investigation. Initial identification of Baidya was made possible through CCTV footage. However, his mobile phone was switched off, making immediate tracking difficult. The police, armed with his address, proceeded to his residence in Magrahat, South 24 Parganas.
By the time the police reached his home, Baidya had already sensed that the situation was becoming perilous. He fled his residence and sought refuge at a relative’s house in Gochoron. His stay there was brief, as he continued his flight, heading towards Namkhana and subsequently to Bakkhali.
The report details a brief period where Baidya was seen wandering along the beach in Bakkhali. However, before the police could apprehend him there, he boarded a bus back to Namkhana. From there, he took a train to Baruipur’s Suryapur area. It was while he was moving around in this new location, attempting to lie low, that the police team, following his trail, finally cornered and arrested him.
The recovery of the stolen gold jewelry is a significant achievement for the investigating team, offering some measure of justice for the trauma inflicted upon Mrs. Roychowdhury.
**Key Takeaways:**
* An elderly woman in Netajinagar, South Kolkata, was attacked and robbed by a known fruit seller.
* The perpetrator, Sukumar Baidya, exploited his familiarity with the victim to gain entry into her home.
* The victim sustained a severe neck injury but is in stable condition.
* Police apprehended the accused within three days, recovering the stolen gold jewelry.
* The incident underscores the vulnerability of elderly individuals living alone and the need for increased vigilance in communities.
* The case involved a chase across multiple locations in South 24 Parganas before the arrest.
This incident, reported by Omni 360 News, serves as a stark reminder of the trust that can be so cruelly betrayed within a community.
