Kolkata Police on Saturday (August 23, 2025) arrested a domestic attendant and her male partner in connection with the alleged murder of an elderly woman, a day after she was found dead in her residence in a housing society at Kolkata’s New Garia.

“An elderly woman was found murdered at her New Garia home, along with robbery of valuables. Kolkata Police (East Division) swiftly traced and arrested two accused persons, including a household maid, from South 24 Parganas. Investigation continues,” the Kolkata Police said on social media on Saturday (August 23, 2025).

According to a high-ranking official of the Kolkata Police, the two accused are an ayah (domestic attendant), Ashalata Sardar, 36; and her partner, one Md Jalal Mir, 41. 

Mr. Mir was arrested from his house at Dholahat in South 24 Parganas at 1.40 a.m. on Saturday (August 23, 2025), while Ms. Sardar was arrested from her rented house at Narendrapur in the same district at 8.05 a.m. on the same day.

According to the Kolkata Police official, Mr. Mir had allegedly hatched the plan and accompanied the ayah, Ms. Sardar, till outside the house. However, it was the ayah alone who allegedly executed the crime. The accused also reportedly stole valuables belonging to the elderly woman, which were kept with the male accused and recovered from his possession by the police.

At around 6.30 a.m. on Friday (August 22, 2025), Panchasayar Police Station received information that an elderly woman residing at New Garia Cooperative Housing Society was not responding to her domestic help, Madhumita Haldar, the Kolkata Police official further said.

The 79-year-old victim, identified as Bijaya Das, was consequently found near the staircase with injuries on her head and face. Her elderly husband, Prasanta Das, was found lying on the floor in a room of the house, near the cot. Mr Haldar, the domestic help, had also reportedly stated that the back gate was found open.

The elderly victim was rushed to Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital where she was declared dead at about 9.35 a.m. 

According to the official, the deceased was a housewife who lived with her aged husband. They have one son, Bandhan Das, who stays outstation with his wife and daughter.

Rising attacks on elderly

This incident follows several instances of attacks on elderly people in the city. Notably, on Saturday (August 23, 2025) itself, the son of a 65-year-old woman was detained after his mother was found lying in an unconscious state with blood oozing from her mouth, in her home in Kolkata’s Beleghata Police Station area. 

The investigation further revealed that her son had a fight with her and allegedly assaulted her brutally, leading to her death.