Bengal man kills wife for missing anjali during Saraswati Puja

HOWRAH: A man was arrested for allegedly strangling his wife to death over Saraswati Puja rituals in Liluah, Howrah on Sunday night.

The accused, Baban Mallick, was presented in Howrah court on Monday.

Family members said Baban and Pinku Biswas Mallick (42) got married eight years ago and they were childless. The two, along with their family, had gone to the Bandel church and returned to Pinku's maternal house for Saraswati Puja in Jhautala, Anandnagar in Liluah.

Cops said a quarrel broke out between the couple late at night with Baban blaming Pinku for him not being able to offer Saraswati Puja anjali. The fight escalated and Baban strangled his wife, said police.

Pinku's family reportedly learnt about the attack only on Monday morning and they immediately called the Liluah police station. Before cops could reach the house, the in-laws and neighbours assaulted Baban. A police team rescued him and also took Pinku to Howrah District Hospital, where she was declared dead.

Claiming Baban had a drinking problem, Pinku's sister-in-law, Shikha Mallick, accused Baban of intentionally killing her.