KOLKATA: A woman in her early 30s was allegedly shot by her husband from his licensed revolver at their home in Naihati, North 24 Parganas, late on Sunday after an argument over watching a Bengali movie in a local cinema escalated, following which she left him midway and came back home.
Chandralekha Ghosh, who received bullet injuries in her chest, hand and leg, is in serious condition, fighting for her life in a private hospital in Barrackpore. She has had surgery to remove the bullets. Her husband, real estate agent Mahendra Pratap Ghosh, has been arrested and the firearm has been seized. He has been remanded in five days’ police custody. Police said he fired at least thrice.
Police sources said Mahendra Pratap, a resident of Naihati’s Rajendrapur, got married to Chandralekha, a Sodepur resident, nearly two years ago. By all accounts, their marriage was tumultous, and they frequently argued.
Their neighbours said the situation worsened on Sunday, when Mahendra Pratap insisted Chandralekha accompany him to a nearby cinema to watch a 4pm-7pm show of a recently released Bengali movie, featuring his favourite actor. Chandralekha initially refused, which led to an argument, but she later relented and went. Their quarrel continued during the movie, prompting Chandralekha to leave during the interval — sometime around 6pm — and return home. “Mahendra finished the movie and came back home around 7.15pm. Chandralekha was shot after an argument around 8pm,” the neighbour said.
Police said the shooting occurred following a heated altercation. But Mahendra Pratap has reportedly told the cops that the gun discharged accidentally while he was cleaning it, sources said.
“The shots were fired from a licensed firearm. The accused is in custody, and an investigation is underway. We are also waiting to record the statement of his wife, who is undergoing treatment in hospital,” said a senior officer from the Barrackpore Commissionerate.
One of those who also seemed to believe in the “accidental firing” theory is Chandralekha’s uncle, Bablu Ghosh. He claimed there was no quarrel and that the revolver had gone off accidentally. “After the first shot, two more got discharged when the revolver was dropped in panic, resulting in Chandralekha’s injuries,” Bablu said.
Police said they were investigating all angles.
