Kolkata servant robs elderly woman of ₹70,000, jewellery, attempts to kill her
Synopsis
A trusted domestic servant of several years allegedly turned on his elderly employer in north Kolkata — robbing her of gold jewellery and ₹70,000, strangling her with a belt, and smothering her with a pillow before fleeing. The woman survived after lying semi-conscious for hours in a locked flat. Police are now hunting Sanjay Ghosh and scanning CCTV footage to trace his escape route.
Key Takeaways
Sanjay Ghosh , a domestic servant, is accused of robbing and attempting to murder an elderly woman in Jorabagan, north Kolkata .
The accused allegedly stole a gold necklace , gold earrings , and ₹70,000 in cash from her wardrobe.
He reportedly used a knife , a belt , and a pillow to threaten and assault the woman before fleeing.
The woman was found semi-conscious by neighbours after lying locked inside her flat for several hours.
Kolkata Police have registered a case and are examining CCTV footage to trace the accused's escape route.
Kolkata Police have launched a manhunt for Sanjay Ghosh, a domestic servant accused of robbing an elderly woman of gold jewellery and cash worth ₹70,000 and attempting to murder her at her residence in north Kolkata's Jorabagan area on Saturday afternoon. The woman, who survived the attack, is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to the police, Ghosh had worked as a servant in the elderly woman's flat on the fifth floor of a multi-storey building on Maharshi Debendra Road for several years, earning her trust. On the afternoon of the incident, he reportedly entered the flat after consuming alcohol heavily and locked the door from inside.
He initially engaged the woman in casual conversation before going to the kitchen, retrieving a knife, and placing it against her neck. When she screamed for help, Ghosh allegedly turned on the television and raised the volume to drown out her cries.
Robbery and Assault
With the woman silenced by fear, Ghosh reportedly removed a gold necklace and gold earrings she was wearing. He then snatched her key ring, unlocked her wardrobe, and took out ₹70,000 in cash. As he attempted to flee and the woman began screaming again, he allegedly tried to strangle her with a belt and then smothered her with a pillow. She fell nearly unconscious before he escaped with the stolen goods.
Discovery and Hospital Admission
The woman lay semi-conscious inside her locked flat for several hours. Neighbours and others who came to check on her found the door locked from the outside, broke it open, and rushed her to a nearby hospital. Family members subsequently filed a written complaint with Jorabagan Police Station, and the woman narrated the full sequence of events to investigators from her hospital bed.
Police Investigation
A police official confirmed on Monday that the complaint was lodged on Sunday by the woman's family. Investigators are currently examining CCTV footage from the surrounding area to trace Ghosh's escape route. A formal search has been launched for the accused. This incident highlights the vulnerability of elderly residents living alone — a concern that has drawn increasing attention from urban safety advocates across Indian cities.
Point of View
Where informal domestic employment lacks any background verification framework. The accused had worked in the household for years, which underscores how proximity and misplaced trust can become vulnerabilities. Urban police forces have repeatedly flagged the need for tenant and domestic worker registration systems, yet implementation remains patchy even in metros like Kolkata. Until there is a credible, enforceable mechanism for verifying domestic workers, elderly residents will remain disproportionately exposed.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Jorabagan elderly woman robbery case in Kolkata?
A domestic servant named Sanjay Ghosh allegedly robbed an elderly woman of gold jewellery and ₹70,000 and attempted to kill her at her residence on Maharshi Debendra Road in Jorabagan, north Kolkata. The incident occurred on a Saturday afternoon and was reported to police by the woman's family on Sunday.
Who is the accused in the Kolkata servant robbery case?
The accused is identified as Sanjay Ghosh, who had reportedly worked as a domestic servant in the elderly woman's household for several years and had earned her trust before allegedly carrying out the attack.
How did the elderly woman survive the attack?
The woman fought back as Ghosh tried to strangle her with a belt and smother her with a pillow. She fell nearly unconscious but survived. Neighbours later found the flat locked from outside, broke the door open, and took her to a private hospital for treatment.
What is the current status of the Kolkata police investigation?
Kolkata Police have registered a case following a complaint at Jorabagan Police Station and have launched a manhunt for Sanjay Ghosh. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to determine his escape route.
What was stolen from the elderly woman?
According to the police complaint, Ghosh allegedly took a gold necklace and gold earrings the woman was wearing, and ₹70,000 in cash from her wardrobe — with the total value of stolen items reported at ₹70,000.
