States » EastPosted at: Oct 22 2026 10:50PM


Bengal: Purulia shopkeeper bludgeoned to death; local youth arrested

Purulia, Oct 22 (UNI) A 50-year-old shopkeeper was allegedly bludgeoned to death with a hammer near Sainik School on the outskirts of Purulia town, with police arresting a local youth in connection with the murder.
The victim, identified as Banamali Gope, ran a shop in the area. According to district police sources, he was struck on the head with a hammer on late Wednesday night, after which the assailant allegedly tried to pour kerosene over him.
The incident came to light when a customer arrived at the shop and found Gope lying unconscious. The customer alerted the authorities, following which police personnel rushed to the spot and took the injured shopkeeper to Purulia Government Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Following an investigation, police arrested Mohammad Rehan, a resident of Tatari village under Purulia Mufassil police station. Investigators said the accused knew Gope well and frequently visited his shop.
Although the motive for the killing has not yet been established, preliminary investigations suggest that the attack may have stemmed from a long-standing financial dispute.
"The exact motive will become clear once the accused is thoroughly interrogated," a senior police official said.
District police officials visited the crime scene on Thursday morning and recorded statements from local residents. The shop has been sealed for forensic examination, while the accused is scheduled to be produced before a court in Purulia on Thursday.
Lalchand Gope, the deceased's brother-in-law, demanded strict punishment for the accused. "My brother-in-law was brutally murdered. We demand the harshest possible punishment for the perpetrator," he said.
Police registered a case based on an official complaint and are continuing their investigation. UNI DC NST
Tags: #Bengal: Purulia shopkeeper bludgeoned to death; local youth arrested
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