Locals informed the New Market police around 10 am today after they spotted the body on the rooftop of the building, which was locked from outside.

Police said the victim has been identified as Rajkumar Khaitan, a resident of Salkia in Howrah district. “Several stab injuries were found on his body. The body has been sent for postmortem. Two gold chains and a mobile phone of the deceased are missing. He was carrying some cash, which was looted. A few liquor bottles were also found near his body,” said a police officer.

According to sources, Khaitan owned a garment shop at 9, Chowringhee Road. However, his body was found at 52, Mott Road near Jyoti Cinema. A team of the Detective Department visited the spot and has started an investigation. It did not rule out the possibility of the victim being involved in cricket betting.

“The victim was involved in satta and gambling. The local police station used to keep a tab on him but no cases are registered against him. Since IPL is on, there are chances he might have been involved in cricket betting. We are looking into the matter,” said a senior Detective Department officer.

“Initial investigation shows the businessman could have been murdered for money he had borrowed from other traders and but did not pay back,” said the officer.