Kolkata police have submitted a chargesheet in connection with the murder of trader Ashok Shah and his wife Rashmita, who were found dead at their Bhowanipore home in south Kolkata in June.
Five persons who have already been arrested have been named in the chargesheet.
The alleged mastermind, a relative of the victim who is still at large, has been declared an absconder, the police said. Ashok, 60, and his wife Rashmita, 56, were found dead in their apartment on the first floor of a three-storey building at 73A Harish Mukherjee Road on June 6.
Ashok had multiple stab injuries and Rashmita had a bullet wound on her head.
The police have arrested Ratnakar Nath, alias Baya, Subodh Kumar Singh, Jatin Mehta, Vishal Arora and Santosh Kumar Pati, alias Rahul.
“The five in judicial custody have been charged with murder, dacoity and murder, and common intention. The sixth accused, who has the same charges against him, is yet to be arrested,” said a senior officer.
The charges, if proved in court, could lead to a maximum punishment of death penalty. The police said the 250-page chargesheet was submitted in an Alipore court on Saturday.
“The chargesheet refers to statements of 80 witnesses,” the officer said.
“The police did a great job. They arrested the accused persons. But it is surprising why they could not get hold of the main man,” said a relative.
The police said posters had been put up declaring the prime accused as “proclaimed offender”.