A retail trader of plastic toys was found dead at his home in Malda on Friday.

Nepal Mandal, 42, a resident of Rashiladaha village under Malda police station's jurisdiction, is suspected to have been killed. He had received threat calls a couple of days ago, his wife has said.

Police sent the body to Malda Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem. The police said it appeared Mandal had been murdered. “We are, however, waiting for the post-mortem report,” said Hirak Biswas, the inspector-in-charge of Malda police station.

Mandal, sources said, used to live alone since he was not on good terms with his wife and daughters.

His body was found in a room and was tied with a cotton thread. “Last Friday, some materials were stolen from his house in his absence. He had lodged a written complaint with the police,” said a police officer.

Mousumi, Nepal’s wife, said she lives separately with their three daughters.

“However, we used to talk often over the phone. Since I did not hear from him, I went to his house on Thursday afternoon. But the doors were closed from the inside. So I returned. Today morning, I learnt that he has been found dead in the house,” she said.

“A few days ago, he told me some people had threatened him over the phone. He didn’t divulge their identity. I have no idea why he was threatened. I suspect he has been murdered.”

The police said they were probing to know whether Nepal was killed as a consequence of any family dispute or some other reason.