CM Adhikari Seeks Probe into TMC Veteran's Sudden Death

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has ordered a detailed probe into the death of veteran Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former Assembly Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee, asking investigators to examine whether he was threatened or blackmailed before his death. Banerjee, a five-time MLA from Rampurhat, represented the constituency for 25 consecutive years from 2001. He was found dead on Sunday at a TMC office in Birbhum district, prompting questions over the circumstances surrounding his death.

A note recovered from the TMC office reportedly stated that no one was responsible for Banerjee’s death and expressed regret over his entry into politics. The note also appeared to assert his innocence in connection with allegations of corruption. Adhikari said investigators would verify the authenticity of the note and examine its handwriting through forensic analysis. The Chief Minister said he had spoken with police and the district magistrate about the circumstances leading to Banerjee’s death and stressed that investigators should establish the facts rather than rely on assumptions.

Adhikari said he had also spoken to Banerjee’s family and asked whether the former MLA had faced harassment or threats. According to the Chief Minister, the family did not make any such allegation. However, Adhikari said investigators should examine the possibility that Banerjee may have been threatened or blackmailed by people linked to what he described as “corrupt elements” within the TMC. He said this possibility required investigation, particularly in light of Banerjee’s reported distancing from the faction led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

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The Chief Minister has asked Banerjee’s family to hand over his mobile phones to the state police chief and the Birbhum superintendent of police. Investigators are expected to examine call records, messages and other information on the devices to determine whether Banerjee had received threats or been subjected to pressure before his death. Adhikari also pointed to Banerjee’s resignation from a committee formed by Mamata Banerjee after the TMC’s poor performance in the Assembly elections earlier this year, saying his political activities and relationships could form part of the inquiry.

Despite the political differences between them, Adhikari described Banerjee as an honest, decent and clean political leader and said the two had maintained cordial relations. He recalled that both were among the relatively small number of TMC MLAs in 2006 and described Banerjee’s death as painful. According to Adhikari, Banerjee maintained friendly relations with people across political lines, including BJP workers. He cited BJP MLA Dhruba Saha’s visit to Banerjee after defeating him in an election, when Saha reportedly sought the veteran leader’s blessings.

Adhikari further said there was no reason to attribute wrongdoing to Banerjee himself and distinguished him from allegations involving some people around him. He said Banerjee had a “very clean character” and claimed that he was not aware of any FIR against the former MLA. The Chief Minister also said Banerjee’s family had told him that the veteran leader had never received a police call. The investigation will now focus on establishing the circumstances of his death, including the origin and authenticity of the note and whether any threats, harassment or blackmail preceded the incident.

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