Kolkata, Nov 26 (NationPress) A police investigation into the murder of a chartered accountant at a hotel in Kolkata has revealed that the victim was allegedly slain after he declined to pay Rs 20,000 requested by his partner from a dating application.

Authorities report that the arrested couple, identified as Komal Saha and Dhruba Mitra, had intended to extort money from Adarsh Losalka, the CA, after establishing a connection with him through the dating app and offering illicit services.

Last Saturday, the naked body of the 33-year-old Losalka was discovered in a hotel located in the Kasba area of south Kolkata. Following a dispute over money, Komal and Dhruba were taken into custody the subsequent day on charges of murder.

According to a senior police officer involved in the investigation, “The suspects have been altering their statements since their apprehension on Sunday.”

Sources within the police indicate that they had pressured Losalka to make an online payment of Rs 20,000 after meeting him in the hotel room, despite the previously agreed amount on the app being only Rs 2,000.

During their interrogation, Komal alleged that Losalka did not provide them with any funds. She mentioned that Losalka had reserved two rooms online. Initially, Komal and Dhruba entered one room together, and shortly thereafter, Komal moved to Losalka's room. A hotel staff member later delivered several bottles of beer that Losalka ordered via a delivery app. CCTV footage captured Losalka briefly exiting and returning with snack packets.

Not long after, Komal and Dhruba were seen conversing in the corridor for an extended period. The police suspect this is when they devised their plan to extort money from Losalka. Komal then returned to Losalka's room.

Investigators revealed that Losalka had been consuming alcohol. As he became heavily intoxicated and fell asleep, she contacted Dhruba from the adjacent room.

“They searched for money in the room, and finding less than expected, they took Rs 1,500 from his wallet,” said the officer.

At this juncture, Losalka awakened and was alarmed to find Dhruba in his room. They then demanded an online transfer of Rs 20,000. When Losalka refused to comply or share his PIN and started verbally abusing Komal, Dhruba struck him. They bound his legs with a towel and subsequently dragged him from the bed to the floor, allegedly smothering him with a bedsheet.

CCTV footage depicted the pair fleeing down the hotel corridor. Around 2:30 a.m., Komal and Dhruba were seen exiting Losalka's room and entering the adjacent one. Komal then collected her belongings, and the two ascended to the first floor before vacating the hotel and fleeing, as reported by the police.