Physicist lived with mom’s body for 3 days

KOLKATA: The discovery of the decomposed and half-burnt frame of 82-year-old Reba Gupta, a retired professor of social sciences at a Bhowanipore college, at her Chetla condo on Friday sent shock waves via her upper-middle class neighbourhood. But extra had been to spread. When neighbours, suspicious a few burning smell and stench coming from the flat, knocked on the flat, Reba’s son, Sanjib Shankar Gupta (52), the only other individual at house, vehemently denied that the rest was once amiss. But when police arrived, it was once found the frame had been set on fire and later, a autopsy confirmed she died 72 to 96 hours previous.

Police confirmed Reba died of center assault. “The autopsy states she died at least 72 to 96 hours ago,” said an officer. A forensic staff has recovered kerosene, some chemical compounds, a few chemistry and clinical books, from the flat. “We should find out whether Sanjib made a failed strive at keeping his mom’s frame,” said an officer.

A bright pupil from a south Kolkata reputable college who went on to get a PhD from the United States and then, taught at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Mohali, Sanjib was once led away through the police for interrogation round 10.30pm. The police officers claimed he appeared now not handiest deep into despair but in addition of the view that no person cared for his knowledge. “He has achieved his post-doctorate in physics and claims to have studied at IIT. We want to communicate to psychiatrists to ensure his version. We will shift him to Pavlov or a similar facility,” said an officer.

“Around eight.30pm on Friday, Bipasa Apartment residents called the Chetla police station. Sanjib claimed a snake bit his mom about three days ago, and that he tried to treat her at house but she died about three days ago. He tried to burn her frame on Friday evening. He has been depressed since his separation from his wife. Prima facie, now we have now not found any foul play,” said DC (south) Meeraz Khalid.

Kabita Banerjee, who stayed on the first flooring, proper above the Guptas, recalled she were given the smell of something decaying and something burning round 4pm. “She went to enquire but Sanjib told her Reba was once visiting her sister. The two locked rooms and two locked bedrooms although made Kabita suspicious. When some of us tried to go into Sanjib’s house round 6pm, he opened the door but kept the collapsible gate close. Still, we convinced him to allow us to in. Inside, we could see two legs (Reba’s) on her bed room’s flooring. Sarees and other garments had been burning,” said another neighbour, Rabindranath Panda, a former CGM of BSNL, the one to alert the police.

The son of cardiologist S Ok Gupta, Sanjib had left for the United States after his HS tests. He returned to the rustic about 15 years ago and took up the process at IISER. He returned to Kolkata six years ago, claimed neighbours, and shortly, separated from his wife. But a metamorphosis in his behaviour became obvious about two-and-a-half years ago, as he grew to become introvert and short-tempered. “He misbehaved with the night guard and the caretaker. Every cook or maid would go away the process at their position inside of weeks,” said S Ok Ghosh, another neighbour.

A learn about ultimate 12 months has proven that PhD and master’s scholars across the world displayed despair and anxiousness six times more than others. “He turns out to suffer from an undetected severe psychological illness. But we'd like assessments for validation,” said psychiatrist J Ram. “The ordeal of studying and completing can be excessive,” said Sanchari Sengupta, counsellor.