Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata (SP)

Kolkata, Oct 16: A triple murder that shocked the nation at Murshidabad was finally solved by the CID, thanks to recovery of a passbook at the murder spot. The CID team which actively pursued the case for about a week, said that the prime accused stands arrested.

The investigators said that the motive of murders was monetary gain and dismissed the notion that the murders were the result of Pal's political association.

Bandhu Prakash Pal, a teacher, his wife, Beauty, who was pregnant, and the couple's eight-year-old son, Aangan, were found lying in a pool of blood at their home at Lebu Bagan,Jiagunj. The bodies bore deep wounds inflicted with a sharp weapon.

Bandhu Prakash Pal and Beauty

Bandhu Prakash Pal was a primary school teacher. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's state unit had said that Pal was a Sangh activist in Murshidabad district. Pal's family members however had said that Pal did not have any affiliation or association with any of the outfits including political ones. They were surprised by the fact that the issue was being politicized.

During scrutiny of the crime spot, the police stumbled upon a passbook which was lying near the body of Pal. The passbook was in the name of Utpal Behara. They guess that the passbook would have dropped out of Behara's clothes either during resistance when committing the murders or when fleeing from the spot.

During questioning by CID personnel, Behara's father admitted that Behara had invested at different places including in financial schemes of which Pal was an agent. He also concurred that Behara had called Pal as he was expecting to get back some funds invested by him back.

Behara, who has been arrested, said that he was expecting to receive Rs 48,000 from Pal being maturity proceeds of an insurance policy, but in spite of incessant follow up, Pal had refused to pay this sum to him. It is gathered that Pal had convinced Behara to invest in the said policy, promising high returns.

Pal's refusal to part with money had angered Behara. On October 8, he entered the house ofo Pal and hacked Pal, his wife, and the kid with the help of a machete, the police said.