Neighbours at Uniworld City in New Town remember Subir Chaki as a ‘jovial and helpful man’ who would go out of his way to help others.
Chaki, managing director of Kilburn Engineering Ltd, lived in a first-floor duplex with his wife and mother at the Uniworld City residential complex. He was found murdered at a house off Golpark that he owned.
Residents said an ever-smiling Chaki was instrumental in setting up a Covid vaccination camp inside the complex at a time when doses were scarce.
Chaki’s son Riddhiman, who lives in London, landed in the city around 7.30am on Tuesday and headed to the complex before going to Peace World in Park Circus, where his father’s body was kept, a resident of Uniworld City said.
The body, the resident said, arrived at the complex around 1.30pm and was kept in the duplex, where family members and others paid their respects to Chaki.
Riddhiman, his sister Subidita and other family members and neighbours then accompanied the body to the Keoratala burning ghat, where the last rites were performed around 2.30pm.
On Tuesday, a team from Kolkata police’s detective department visited Chaki’s duplex and spoke with family members at length.
Multiple residents of the complex said Chaki was popular. He was a “knowledgeable” and “fun-loving person”.
“He was liked by everyone here. We are still in a state of shock. Why would somebody kill such a man? He is not the sort to have enemies,” said the resident.
“Ever since he moved to the complex, he had been an integral part of the residents' association. He had also helped us immensely by setting up a Covid-19 vaccination camp inside our complex at a time people were struggling to get doses,” said the resident.
Anjan Sen, the secretary of the Kolkata Uniworld City Apartments Residents’ Association, said: "We are planning to organise a condolence meeting for him. This has come as a shock for us. We want the killers to be punished.”
Another resident said: "We had never seen him without a smile on his face. We often had long adda sessions and Chakida had an in-depth understanding of law, politics and literature."
Mainak Chaki, a cousin of the victim, said the entire family was devastated. "We are yet to come to terms with this incident," said Mainak.