Veteran Singer Anita Ghosh Brutally Murdered in Kolkata

The Indian music fraternity is in deep mourning following the gruesome murder of veteran vocalist Anita Ghosh. The 65-year-old singer was found dead on Monday, 19 January 2026, at her residence in the Parnashree area of Behala, Kolkata. The incident, which involved a savage stabbing by a domestic helper, has sent shockwaves through the local community and the wider cultural landscape of West Bengal.

A Tragic Domestic Dispute

Anita Ghosh resided in a flat at Priyadarshini Apartments on Becharam Chatterjee Road with her husband, Arup Ghosh. Mr Ghosh has long suffered from dementia, a condition that required the family to employ several domestic staff for his round-the-clock care. According to police reports, the murder was triggered by a financial dispute.

The primary suspect, a domestic worker named Sanju Sarkar, reportedly confronted the singer regarding outstanding wages. When Mrs Ghosh allegedly refused to settle the payment immediately, the confrontation turned violent. Sanju is accused of using a sharp knife to inflict multiple wounds to the singer’s face and abdomen.

Incident Summary: The Death of Anita Ghosh

Robbery and Discovery

The brutality of the attack left the singer unconscious, at which point the suspect allegedly stripped the gold jewellery from her person and ransacked the cupboards for cash. The victim’s son, who lives in a separate flat in Behala, was alerted to the tragedy later that evening.

Upon arriving at the scene, the Parnashree police recovered the blood-soaked body and shifted it to the hospital for a post-mortem examination. During the preliminary investigation, police detained two domestic helpers and a cook. Authorities have since confirmed that Sanju Sarkar has confessed to the crime during interrogation.

A Legacy in Music

Anita Ghosh was a respected figure in the Bengali cultural sphere, having been a regular performer for Doordarshan and Akashvani (All India Radio) during her prime. Known for her melodic contributions to traditional and contemporary Bengali music, her career spanned decades, earning her a loyal following among listeners of public service broadcasting.

The local neighbourhood remains in a state of high tension as residents express concerns over the safety of elderly citizens living with domestic staff. The police are currently investigating whether any other individuals assisted Sanju in the planning or execution of the robbery and subsequent murder.