An elderly man was found dead in his house here early on Sunday, police said, adding its initial investigation indicates he was murdered.
The blood-stained body of 82-year-old Malay Kumar Mukherjee, a resident of New Alipore area in south Kolkata, was found in his bedroom on the ground floor of his house, an officer said. The room was also found to be ransacked.
Police said that the discovery was made by a nurse who used to look after him.
"Police and the detective department are jointly investigating the case. It is too early to come to any conclusion," said Deputy Commissioner of Police, South, Praveen Tripathi.
Police suspect some outsiders may have broken into the house at night and committed the crime.
"The net fencing at the backyard of the house was partially snipped and the lock of the rear door was also broken. There might have been a forced entry," an officer said.
Police have detained the nurse for interrogation.
Meanwhile, state Sports Minister Arup Biswas, who said he had known the deceased's family from before, visited the house. "This is an unfortunate incident. The police is doing everything to find out the culprit," he said.