IIT, IIM batchmates find Subir Chaki murder for gain ‘unacceptable’

A hostelmate from IIT Kharagpur and a batchmate from IIM Calcutta said they find it “unacceptable” that Subir Chaki fell prey to the greed of a few individuals.

They shared their reaction on Thursday, the day police produced Mithu Halder in court after arresting her on Wednesday for alleged involvement in Chaki’s murder.

“Had he died of Covid, I would be sad but not so shaken. Amidst the pandemic, we have lost so many of our near and dear ones. But the fact that Subir was murdered because the assailants thought that he was carrying a lot of cash and possessed valuables is something that I find unacceptable. He fell prey to the greed of a few individuals,” said Saroj Kumar Datta, who studied management programmes with Chaki at IIM-C.

Datta, a resident of Delhi, studied with Chaki from 1986 to 1988 on the Harrington Street campus of IIM-C.

“Can someone be killed in this fashion because greed could not be resisted? I am lost for words. In fact, had Subir died of an accident I would not feel that bad. But an honest man who had risen through ranks was killed so his resources could be snatched. It points to the low that humans have stooped to,” said Datta on Thursday.

For Goutam Basu, who remembers ‘Subirda’ as a ‘saviour’ who would shield freshers from ragging at IIT Kharagpur, the murder of a senior because of greed is yet to sink in. “I have yet to come to terms with the fact that just for the sake of money two persons were brutally murdered and the families left devastated. I lost my sister and brother-in-law because of a shortage of oxygen in Delhi. So, after the initial days, death from Covid does not shock you as much. But I find the murder unacceptable,” said Basu.

Chaki, 61, had been found murdered along with his driver Rabin Mondal, 65, on Sunday night.

Basu was junior to Chaki by two years at IIT Kharagpur. He stayed at the Radhakrishnan Hall of Residence, known as ‘RK hall’ on the campus, with Chaki while pursuing BTech.

A resident of Russell Street, Basu was among the juniors who always took refuge in Subirda’s room because he opposed ragging.

“I am reminiscing about how he would shield the juniors at the hostel,” said Basu, who is attached with the real estate sector.

Datta said he was happy to learn that the police were on the trail to nab the culprits but, he said, that won’t bring back his “dear friend”.

“We don’t get so upset if someone who has some dubious past is murdered. But here, a thorough gentleman who achieved success in a fair way and was using his talent has been murdered. A modest person who still had so much to contribute. He died at a time when he was at the peak of his career. I will miss my dear friend,” he said.