Police investigating the murder of Bandhu Prakash Pal, his pregnant wife and son at Jiagunj in Murshidabad stumbled upon some vital clues that ruled out the possibility of the deceased teacher’s connection with the RSS as claimed by the saffron brigade earlier. Police sources claimed that the investigation of the triple murder case was on the right track and they are hopeful that they would be able achieve a breakthrough in a day or two.

“There was no such evidence found from the deceased person’s residence and interrogation of a cross section of people including his family members and neighbours did not suggest that he had connection with any political outfit as some people had claimed,” an officer said. A source close to the state police said that a manhunt had already been launched to nab the assailants. The CCTV footage and the eyewitness accounts could provide vital clues to trace the assailants. Sources said that the footage recovered from the residence of the deceased Bandu Prakash Pal and eyewitnesses accounts corroborated that a person was seen running out from the residence of the deceased teacher at about 12 noon on 8 October, when the murder had taken place.

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Besides, a diary which was recovered from the house of Bandhu Prakash Pal suggested that the husband and wife ‘s relationship had developed strains of late. Besides, investigation also revealed that Bandu Prakash Pal was involved in many other side businesses like working as agents of multi-level marketing company like SBI Life, PNB Met Life, distribution of radiation chip and others. Meanwhile, the triple death has caused a political slugfest with the BJP claiming that Pal was an RSS activist.

Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar also expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order in the state. “I am shocked, distressed and pained at the inhuman and brutal killing of a school teacher, his wife and his son in Murshidabad district. This is a critical reflection of the state of affairs and the law and order of West Bengal,” Mr Dhankhar said yesterday.

Partha Chatterjee, Trinamul Congress secretary general said: “The governor has been selectively reacting to incidents. He is doing so for a considerable period of time. An unfortunate incident having its roots in family discord is being touted as a political murder. He should maintain his constitutional limits and uphold the dignity of the constitutional post.”