There was no injury marks on the woman's body but police said the way the body was lying upside down in the drain was "quite unnatural". (File photo)
Body of a 60-year-old retired teacher was today recovered from a drain in Chakraberia area in the southern part of Kolkata this morning, police said.
The body found lying upside down in the drain was that of Sunanda Ganguly, who used to stay alone in the ground floor of an old two-storied building on Bakultala Road within Bhowanipore Police Station limits.
There was no injury marks on the woman's body but police said the way the body was lying upside down in the drain was "quite unnatural".
"Primary signs suggest it to be a case of murder. There are clear signs of struggle inside the room," Joint Commissioner of Kolkata Police of the Special Task Force (STF) Vishal Garg, who visited the murder site said. Ms Ganguly used to occupy the ground floor room for the last 50 years.
Locals alleged that Ms Ganguly was murdered by some promoters of the area who were eyeing the old building for a long time.
Residents of the area also alleged that the promoters had allegedly kidnapped the old woman a couple of years back.
"The promoters were also trying to prove her as insane. They were after her for a long time because she was reluctant to vacate the room of the building which was sold to them by the owner. She was threatened by the promoters and complaints were lodged at Bhowanipore Police Station regarding this though no action was initiated," a local resident said.
Talking about the alleged role of the promoter, Garg said, "We are looking into all the possibilities. I have heard that there are some cases lodged in the same matter. We are waiting for the post mortem report."
Sniffer dogs, sleuths from the Kolkata Police homicide department have started investigation into the matter.