Hired goons behind murder: Cops

KOLKATA: It''s not yet two days to Lalita Goenka''s murder and the sleuths investigating the case have made their first major observation - the assailants came from outside and were probably contract killers.
"The murder was committed by professionals. The entire operation did not take much time. Preliminary inquiry reports confirm the precision of attacks.The initial attack was meant to turn her unconscious without much bloodshed. Like a professional killer, the assailant did not waste any blow," a senior investigator said.
Most significant part of the probe, however, is pinpointing the person who engaged the killer.
At least one of the persons present in those flats knew about it. "We are checking out whether the person facilitated the assailant in gaining access to Lalita Devi''s flat."
"We have got some leads in the case. A special team is carrying out raids in the adjoining districts to nab a person suspected to be involved in the case. We are expecting a very early breakthrough," an officer said.
Meanwhile, both sons of Lalita Devi (Hemant and Pradeep) performed the last rites at the burning ghat in the presence of other male members of the family.
However, the unnatural turn of events that rocked the Goenka home had left an indelible mark on all the faces.
The gory incident coupled with the media spotlight on the "reserved" and fairly conservative family has both shocked and numbed the family considerably.
On Thursday, police collected a large number of documents related to the property the family holds, the will and documents relating to their business transactions, and ownership of the flats.
"We are leaving no stone unturned and are examining everything we are laying our hands on. We cannot even rule out the family feud angle to the murder," said an investigator.
On Friday, police interrogated six of the servants separately. On that night only two maids were present at the 9E flat belonging to Hemant, Lalita''s eldest son.
Lalita Devi was by herself at 10E flat, which is connected to 9E via a spiral staircase.
The assailants, believed to have come from outside, gained access through three entry points - two main doors of 10E flat and the main door of 9E flat.
Police officers who went to the spot for collecting evidence had a harrowing time. The site was completely disturbed as a large number of people had paid a visit to the spot after the murder.
"We really don''t know how correct the collection of finger-prints samples were," an officer said.