Survived murder bid by uncle using yoga skills: Kolkata teen’s chilling account

The young survivor in the Kolkata triple homicide incident alleged that his uncle attempted to suffocate him with a pillow, but he managed to survive by utilizing breath-holding methods from yoga. The 14-year-old, in his account to the West Bengal Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR), claimed he feigned death until his uncle exited the room.

The horrific event occurred on February 19 in the Tangra region of Kolkata. Three individuals from the Dey family, consisting of two females (the mother of the minor and her sister) and a young girl (the cousin of the minor), were discovered deceased at their home. On that same day, three additional family members (the child, his dad, and his uncle) sustained injuries when their vehicle collided with a metro support pillar. The siblings informed the authorities that a suicide agreement existed within the family. Authorities discovered that the family, previously running a tannery enterprise, was experiencing monetary difficulties.

Earlier this week, the child rights panel, headed by advisor Ananya Chakraborty, visited the minor at NRS Hospital, where he is receiving treatment with his father and uncle.

Chakraborty said the minor told them that his father, Prasun Dey, and his uncle, Pranay, were under immense financial stress. “Two days before the incident, the minor heard his father saying, ‘Now the creditors will chase us. There is no other way but death’,” Chakraborty said.

After that, a plan was made to consume porridge laced with sleeping pills as part of a suicide pact. However, the minor said the drug had no effect on him as he practised yoga daily.

“He (the minor) claimed that his uncle, pressed a pillow over his face to kill him, but he survived by holding his breath because of regular yoga practice. Believing him to be dead, his father and uncle then left the room,” Chakraborty said.

Kolkata Police sources said the minor gave the same statement during interrogation. “He said that he held his breath as long as possible and faked his death,” sources said.

However, police sources said investigators found certain inconsistencies as no yoga mat was recovered from the residence. “It seems suspicious because no yoga mat was recovered. Though two gym bags were found, those belonged to Prasun and Pranay only. All statements are being investigated by Kolkata police,” sources told India Today.