Pandabeswar man killed with hammer and axe; wife, brother-in-law accused
Synopsis
A man visiting his in-laws' home in Pandabeswar was allegedly bludgeoned to death with hammers, axes, and shovels by his own wife and brother-in-law over a property dispute — a case that has rattled a quiet village in West Burdwan and left police awaiting an autopsy report before making any arrests.
Key Takeaways
Sheikh Hasmat , 44 , was allegedly attacked and killed at Mahal, Pandabeswar in West Burdwan district on Sunday night, 31 August .
His wife and brother-in-law have been accused by the family of carrying out the attack, allegedly motivated by property greed .
Weapons reportedly used include hammers, axes, shovels, and spades .
Hasmat died while undergoing treatment at Durgapur Sub-district Hospital ; his body was transferred to Asansol District Hospital for autopsy.
No arrests have been made as of Monday ; police have registered a case and begun investigation.
The Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate said the cause of death will be confirmed only after the autopsy report.
A 44-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by his wife and her brother at Mahal in the Pandabeswar area of Durgapur subdivision, West Burdwan district, West Bengal, on Sunday night, 31 August, with police citing property greed as the suspected motive. The deceased, identified as Sheikh Hasmat, a resident of Birbhum district, had been staying at his in-laws' house in Mahal for a few days before the attack.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to family accounts, Sheikh Hasmat was sitting down for a meal on Sunday night when he was allegedly set upon without warning. His brother, Sheikh Milan, told reporters that Hasmat's wife and her brothers attacked him with sharp objects — reportedly including shovels, spades, axes, and hammers. Hasmat was rushed to Durgapur Sub-district Hospital in a critical condition, where he died while undergoing treatment.
What Police Have Said
An official of the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate confirmed that certain items had been recovered from the scene, and that the body had been transferred from Durgapur Sub-district Hospital to Asansol District Hospital for an autopsy. 'It is true that some things have been recovered from the scene. The body has been sent to Asansol for autopsy. The real cause of death will be known only after the autopsy report is received,' the official said. As of Monday, no arrests had been made. Police registered a case based on a formal complaint and launched an investigation.
Family's Allegations
Sheikh Milan, the deceased's elder brother, directly accused his sister-in-law of orchestrating the killing, alleging it was motivated by a dispute over property. He said Hasmat had come to Durgapur from Birbhum for work and was staying temporarily at the in-laws' home when the attack took place. Milan demanded strict punishment for all those responsible.
Tension in Mahal Village
The incident has created a tense atmosphere in the Mahal locality under Pandabeswar police station. Residents of the minority-dominated village have expressed shock over the alleged killing. Personnel from Pandabeswar police station reached the spot shortly after being informed, and the area remains under watch as the investigation continues.
The autopsy report from Asansol District Hospital is expected to be a key determinant in formally establishing the cause of death and the nature of injuries, which will shape the direction of the police probe.
Point of View
But this case stands out for the alleged premeditation — a family meal turned fatal, reportedly involving multiple weapons and multiple assailants. The absence of arrests more than 24 hours after the incident, despite a formal complaint and recovered items from the scene, raises questions about investigative urgency. The autopsy report will be critical: if it confirms the nature and multiplicity of injuries, police will face pressure to act swiftly. Cases of this kind, in minority-dominated localities, also carry the risk of communal tension if not handled transparently and promptly.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sheikh Hasmat and where did the attack occur?
Sheikh Hasmat was a 44-year-old resident of Birbhum district who had come to Durgapur for work and was staying at his in-laws' home in Mahal, Pandabeswar, West Burdwan. He was allegedly attacked there on Sunday night, 31 August, and died while receiving treatment at Durgapur Sub-district Hospital.
Who has been accused in Sheikh Hasmat's death?
Hasmat's family has accused his wife and her brother of carrying out the attack, allegedly motivated by greed over property. As of Monday, no formal arrests had been made, though police had registered a case based on a complaint.
What weapons were reportedly used in the attack?
According to Hasmat's brother Sheikh Milan, the assailants used sharp objects including shovels, spades, axes, and hammers. Police confirmed that certain items were recovered from the scene, though the full details are subject to the ongoing investigation.
What is the current status of the police investigation?
The Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate has registered a case and begun an investigation. The body has been sent to Asansol District Hospital for autopsy, and police said the confirmed cause of death will be known only after the autopsy report is received. No arrests had been made as of Monday.
Why has the incident caused tension in the Mahal area?
The Mahal locality under Pandabeswar police station is described as a minority-dominated village, and residents have expressed shock that such a violent alleged killing took place within a family. The tense atmosphere has prompted a police presence at the site.
