Retired Officer Arrested for Keeping Daughter’s Body in Home for Four Months

A 72-year-old retired government officer has been arrested for allegedly keeping the body of his daughter inside their house for nearly four months after her death, police officials said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Udaybhanu Biswas , lived in the Teli Mohalla area under the Sadar Bazar police station limits . According to police, his 35-year-old daughter Priyanka Biswas died on December 1, 2025 , reportedly due to prolonged illness. However, instead of informing authorities or conducting her last rites, Biswas allegedly kept the body locked inside a room of the house.

The incident came to light in April after local residents complained of a strong foul smell coming from the residence. Acting on the complaint, police reached the spot on April 10 and recovered the highly decomposed body, which had largely turned into a skeleton by then.

Investigators said Biswas allegedly used perfumes and room fresheners to suppress the odour while continuing to stay in the same house for several weeks.

Police suspect that the elderly man may have been emotionally unable to accept his daughter’s death and therefore did not perform her final rites. Officials also said his mental condition appeared disturbed, following which he was sent for psychiatric evaluation at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Medical College .

Biswas, originally from West Bengal , had retired as an administrative officer from the education department. After undergoing psychiatric evaluation and preliminary questioning, he was formally arrested on Wednesday. Police, however, have not yet officially disclosed the specific charges filed against him and said further investigation is underway.

Police said the body was sent for post-mortem examination after legal formalities were completed, and further investigation is underway.