Reclusive Burdwan tenants were constantly chased by lenders: Neighbours

Burdwan: For residents of Badamtola in Burdwan, Ramprasad Das and his wife Banashree Das were known less for their presence in the neighbourhood and more for the stream of creditors who regularly turned up at their rented home demanding money.The couple, who had been living with their minor son in a sprawling mansion at 61 Kalna Road for around one-and-a-half years, largely kept to themselves and rarely interacted with locals. Neighbours said creditors visited the house every few days, the visits often leading to loud arguments that sometimes continued late into the night. To keep watch on visitors, the family had also installed CCTV cameras inside the premises. "People would frequently come looking for them over money matters. There were often heated exchanges at the gate," said a local resident.According to neighbours, the gates of the property usually remained shut and the family maintained little contact with those living nearby. Several residents alleged that Ramprasad was involved in multiple financial disputes and that his activities often appeared suspicious.Neighbour Sagardip Chowdhury said disputes involving the family were a regular occurrence in the locality. "They hardly mixed with anyone. Most people knew them because of the frequent visits by creditors," he said.The family had rented a portion of the old mansion for a monthly rent of Rs 10,000. Residents said word had spread locally that the property could eventually be put up for sale, as its owners were based outside Burdwan.However, on June 7, a seven-member team of Delhi Police arrived in Burdwan. After making discreet enquiries in the neighbourhood, the team in plain clothes quietly scaled the boundary walls of the old mansion and arrested the couple. The arrested duo is suspected to have had a hand in the killing of Delhi University professor Debosmita Pal, who was their landlord.Ramprasad's father, Maheshwar Das, who works as a caretaker at Burdwan's Arobindo Stadium, said his son had long been living separately from the family. "Ramprasad is the youngest of my three sons. He used to deal in old car resales and then learnt driving. Several years back he married — against our wishes — and moved out. He rarely came home. I am completely in the dark about where he stays and what he did. That he had gone to Delhi and killed someone is what I am hearing from you. I am an old and feeble man; I have been working at the stadium for the past 40 years. Ask around and you will know. I have nothing to do with him and I hope this does not land me in any trouble at this age," he said.