Bodies of elderly couple found in Salt Lake, Kolkata; poison bottle recovered
Synopsis
An elderly couple was found dead in their locked Salt Lake home after their son's unanswered calls triggered a welfare check. A poison bottle recovered from the scene has led police to suspect suicide — possibly linked to the wife's reported cancer — but no suicide note was found and the cause of death awaits autopsy confirmation.
Key Takeaways
Bodies of Sajal Kumar Kundu and his wife Ranjana Kundu were found in their AE Block, Salt Lake home on 30 July .
Discovery was triggered after their son, staying at Ultadanga , could not reach them by phone on Thursday morning.
A bottle of poison was recovered from the house; police initially suspect suicide by poisoning.
No suicide note was found at the scene.
Locals reportedly said Ranjana Kundu had been suffering from cancer .
Police are awaiting the autopsy report before confirming the cause of death.
The bodies of an elderly couple were recovered from their residence in the AE Block area of Salt Lake, Kolkata, on Thursday morning, 30 July, after their son was unable to reach them by phone. Police have identified the deceased as Sajal Kumar Kundu and his wife Ranjana Kundu. A bottle of poison found at the scene has led investigators to suspect the couple may have consumed poison, though the exact cause of death remains unconfirmed pending an autopsy.
How the Bodies Were Discovered
The couple's son had left for his in-laws' home in Ultadanga, north Kolkata, along with his wife on Wednesday. He last spoke with his parents by phone at around 10 pm that evening. When he called again on Thursday morning and found both phones switched off, he grew concerned and contacted a neighbour, requesting them to check on the elderly couple.
The neighbour went to the house and knocked repeatedly, but received no response and found the gate shut. Growing suspicious, the neighbour alerted other locals and informed the son. Police were subsequently called to the scene.
What Police Found at the Scene
Officers arrived to find the front door locked from the inside. The couple's son, who had reached the spot by then, used a spare key to open the door. The bodies of Sajal Kumar Kundu and Ranjana Kundu were found lying on the bed. Locals reportedly said that Ranjana Kundu had been suffering from cancer.
A bottle of poison was recovered from inside the house, prompting the initial suspicion of suicide by poisoning. Notably, no suicide note was found at the premises.
Investigation Under Way
Police have stated they are not in a position to confirm the cause of death until the autopsy report is received. Investigators are examining all aspects of the case, including the circumstances that led to the discovery and the background of the family. The absence of a suicide note means the matter is being treated with caution.
This comes amid a broader pattern of such incidents involving elderly individuals living in semi-isolation in Kolkata's residential colonies, where delayed discovery has repeatedly highlighted concerns about the welfare of senior citizens living apart from family.
Point of View
And police are right to hold their conclusions. What the incident also surfaces, less visibly, is the recurring vulnerability of elderly residents in Kolkata's residential blocks whose children live elsewhere: welfare checks arrived only because a son could not get through on a phone. The cancer angle, if confirmed medically, will likely shape how investigators and courts interpret intent. Until the autopsy speaks, every other detail is circumstantial.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the elderly couple found dead in Salt Lake, Kolkata?
The deceased have been identified as Sajal Kumar Kundu and his wife Ranjana Kundu , residents of AE Block in the Salt Lake area of Kolkata. Their bodies were discovered on the morning of 30 July .
What led to the discovery of the bodies?
The couple's son, who had gone to his in-laws' home in Ultadanga on Wednesday, was unable to reach his parents by phone on Thursday morning. He asked a neighbour to check on them, and when no one responded at the house, police were called. Officers found the door locked from the inside and entered using a spare key.
Why do police suspect suicide?
A bottle of poison was recovered from inside the house, leading to an initial suspicion that the couple may have consumed poison. However, police have not confirmed the cause of death and are awaiting the autopsy report. No suicide note was found at the scene.
Was there any indication of illness in the family?
Locals reportedly said that Ranjana Kundu had been suffering from cancer, though this has not been officially confirmed by police or medical authorities. Investigators are examining all aspects of the case.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Police are investigating the matter and have stated they will not confirm the cause of death until the autopsy report is received. All angles are being examined, and the case remains open pending forensic findings.
