A slum-owner, out on bail after being held on the charge of trying to rape his tenant’s minor daughter, allegedly threatened his 16-year-old son at gunpoint for lodging a complaint against him.

Ramnath Verma, 45, said Rajen Chowdhury turned up with a single-shot revolver in his room in the Rajen Sett Lane slum in Bally, Howrah, around 10pm on Sunday.

Ramnath’s wife Rekha said: “He pointed the gun at my son Gopal and threatened him for registering a complaint against him with police. When I tried to save my son, Rajen pushed me away and started beating the children.” Ramnath was away at the time.

Neighbour Mahadeo Thakur, who rushed in to help the family, said Chowdhury hit him with the revolver butt while escaping. He and Ramnath lodged a complaint with Bally police station soon after.

Chowdhury allegedly returned to Ramnath’s room around 4am and again tried to threaten the family members. He was chased away by neighbours.

The landlord was arrested on February 9 for allegedly trying to rape Ramnath’s 12-year-old daughter on January 20. He was granted bail on Saturday.

The police said Chowdhury is absconding.