Rangpur family murders: Friend tells court suspects used yaba on night of killings

A friend of the two men arrested over the killing of retired teacher Ganapati Chakraborty and his family in Rangpur has told a court that the suspects used yaba, a methamphetamine-based stimulant drug, at his home on the night of the grisly murders, according to police.

Simanta Das gave the statement as a witness before the Rangpur Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, said Detective Branch Inspector Jinnat Ali, who is investigating the case.

Magistrate Md Rafiqul Islam recorded his statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Jinnat said.

Mugdha Das, 23, and Siddhartha Das, 19, have been arrested over the deaths of Ganapati, his wife Pritilata Chakraborty, daughter Agami Chakraborty and son Ayush Priyam Chakraborty at their home in Rangpur’s Machuapara.

“Simanta is a friend of Mugdha and Siddhartha. After taking over the investigation, we contacted him to record his account,” Jinnat said.

Simanta had been unable to appear on Monday because his mother was ill, but came to court with his father the following day, according to the investigator.

Jinnat said Simanta told the court that Mugdha and Siddhartha went to his home and used yaba on Thursday night, when police say the killings took place.

“Several pieces of information in Simanta’s statement match the statements given by the accused,” he said.

Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud had earlier made a similar claim at a press conference following the arrests, saying Mugdha and Siddhartha had gone to Simanta’s home on the night of the killings.

Police have also petitioned to have the two suspects undergo drug tests, Jinnat said. They are expected to be sent for the tests on Wednesday after the necessary procedures are completed.

The investigator said police would examine unanswered questions surrounding the killings, including the motive, as the investigation proceeds.

“We will seek answers through a proper investigation to the various questions people have about these killings and take all necessary steps to ensure justice in the case,” Jinnat said.

Police recovered the bodies of former Rangpur Zilla School teacher Ganapati, his wife Pritilata, their postgraduate student daughter Agami and fifth-grader son Ayush from their home on Saturday night.

Ganapati’s elder brother Gopinath Chakraborty later filed a murder case with Kotwali Police Station against unidentified suspects.

Mugdha and Siddhartha, who both live near the victims’ home and are related to each other, were arrested early on Sunday.

They gave statements before the Rangpur Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court under Section 164 later that day and were sent to jail. Police have described the statements as confessional.

The investigation was initially led by Kotwali Police Inspector (Investigation) Milon Chatterjee before being transferred to the Rangpur Metropolitan Police Detective Branch on Monday.

Jinnat was subsequently appointed investigating officer.