Bandana Kalita: The Most Evil Gym Trainer in the History!

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When Vandana Kalita walked into the Noonmati police station on August 29, 2022, she appeared to be a desperate wife and daughter-in-law seeking help.

She reported her husband, Amarjyoti Dey, and mother-in-law, Shankari Dey, missing since July 26. For weeks, she pressed the police for answers, insisting something terrible had happened. What no one suspected was that Vandana herself was the mastermind behind one of Assam’s most chilling double murders in recent memory—a crime driven by greed, betrayal, and cold calculation.

Initially, police treated the case as a routine missing persons report. Vandana’s concern seemed genuine, and she even approached Amarjyoti’s cousin, Nirmalya Dey, for help. But Nirmalya’s reaction was oddly muted, and weeks passed with little progress. It wasn’t until October 2022 that Nirmalya took his own steps, visiting the homes of both missing relatives. Neighbors told him Shankari had moved in with Vandana and Amarjyoti, but no one had seen her for weeks. Finally, on November 21, Nirmalya filed a second missing persons report, nearly three months after Vandana’s.

Shankari Dey, 62, was a retired employee of Assam Power Distribution Company Limited. She owned several apartments in Guwahati, which she rented out for a steady income. Both Nirmalya and Vandana suggested to police that the disappearances might be motivated by money—perhaps a kidnapping for ransom. But no ransom call ever came, and the investigation stalled.

As the months dragged on, Vandana continued to pressure police, even filing complaints about their inaction. Yet, she was also collecting rent from Shankari’s properties and had recently signed new tenants. Police found this odd, but not suspicious enough to act—after all, she was the missing woman’s daughter-in-law.

In February 2023, after further complaints from both Vandana and Nirmalya, police finally launched a thorough review. A special team led by Deputy Commissioner Kalyan Pathak began to dig deeper. During questioning, officers noticed inconsistencies in Vandana’s statements. Her stories changed, and her demeanor grew increasingly nervous. Investigators soon discovered significant withdrawals from Shankari’s bank account using her ATM card—over 500,000 rupees had vanished in recent weeks.

On February 17, after two days of intense interrogation, Vandana broke down. Her confession stunned even the most seasoned detectives: she had murdered both her husband and mother-in-law, with help from two friends, Dha Deka and Arup Deka.

According to Vandana, the plot began on July 26, 2022. She and her accomplices arrived at Shankari’s apartment in Tiniyali, Guwahati. Shankari was watching TV, unaware of the horror about to unfold. Vandana smothered her with a pillow while Arup held her legs. Once Shankari was dead, Vandana used a rolling pin and a machete to decapitate her. The body was then cut into pieces, wrapped in plastic, and disposed of in a remote valley in Meghalaya. The head, a hand, and the murder weapons were scattered in separate locations to hinder discovery.

Twenty-two days later, on August 17, Vandana killed her husband Amarjyoti in their Amravati Apartments home. She struck him with an iron rod, killing him instantly. Dha and Arup helped dismember the body, which was then dumped near the India-Bangladesh border.

Why would a woman murder her own husband and mother-in-law? Police believe the motive was a toxic mix of financial greed and personal resentment. Vandana and Amarjyoti had eloped 12 years earlier, defying both families. Their marriage soured over time—Amarjyoti was unemployed, and frequent arguments erupted. Shankari initially cut ties but later resumed contact, supporting the couple financially. However, when Vandana quit her job to become a fitness instructor, Shankari’s support stopped, reigniting tensions.

Police also uncovered evidence of an affair between Vandana and Dha Deka, a cab driver who hoped to share in the family’s property and wealth. Arup, the third accomplice, agreed to help in exchange for money to fund his upcoming wedding.

After Vandana’s confession, police quickly arrested Dha and Arup, both of whom admitted their roles. Investigators recovered body parts, murder weapons, and even the car used to transport the remains. Yet, despite the shocking nature of the crimes, all three suspects were released on bail in late 2023 due to procedural delays and incomplete forensic reports.

The case remains in court, with over 40 hearings and no resolution. Vandana, remarkably, continues to live her life, required only to check in with police twice a week and forbidden from leaving the district without permission. The families of the victims are left frustrated, haunted by the knowledge that the woman who destroyed their lives walks free while the wheels of justice grind slowly.