The West Bengal government on Friday stepped up security at the house of Dhananjoy Chatterjee, sentenced to death for rape and murder of schoolgirl Hetal Parekh following a mass suicide threat by his family members.

Home Secretary Amit Kiran Deb told reporters in Kolkata that security had been beefed up at Chatterjee's residence in Chatna village in Bankura district where his parents, wife and sister stay.

"Since they have threatened to commit mass suicide, we have increased security at their residence," Deb said.

Vigil on the condemned murderer in his cell at the Alipore Central Jail here has also been stepped up.

All formalities leading to Chatterjee's execution were being carried out as per the procedure, he said.