KOLKATA: The body of South Dum Dum Municipality Trinamool councillor Sanjay Das (49) was recovered from his residence on Saturday, with preliminary investigations pointing to suicide. It remains unclear whether the death is connected to ongoing probes into civic corruption and extortion allegations, which have led to the arrests of several Trinamool councillors in recent days. However, family members and neighbors reported that Das had been under severe stress since a banner was placed outside his home accusing him of land-grabbing and extortion.
Details of the Incident
Das, who served as councillor of ward no. 18 and chairman-in-council (CIC) member for health in South Dum Dum Municipality, was discovered hanging in his flat in a multi-story building on Gorakshabasi Road near Nagerbazar. He lived there with his wife, teenage son, and six-year-old daughter. His son found the body, and Das was taken to a nearby private hospital at 8:18 am but was declared dead on arrival.
Political Connections and Ongoing Probes
Das was a close associate of Bidhannagar MMIC Debraj Chakraborty, who is the husband of former Trinamool Rajarhat-Gopalpur MLA Aditi Munshi. Following the arrest of former fire minister Sujit Bose in the municipal recruitment scam, Chakraborty and his aides have come under scrutiny. In the past few days, three councillors close to Chakraborty and two close to Sujit Bose have been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Both Chakraborty and his wife moved the Calcutta High Court on Thursday seeking anticipatory bail in a disproportionate assets case filed by Bidhannagar police.
Statements from Party Leaders
Beleghata MLA and Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh suggested that targeted trolling and blackmail might have driven Das to suicide. Ghosh stated, "Some banners had appeared in the area accusing him of being an extortionist and involved in scams. Two individuals named as victims said the claims were false. However, some people were harassing and blackmailing him, demanding payment or threatening to go to the police and have him jailed. This left him and his family extremely anxious."
Ghosh added that Das had resisted the blackmailers and even attended East Bengal's last ISL match on Thursday, celebrating the victory. "On Saturday, his family saw him preparing for morning exercise, and then this happened. I don't know what occurred or who blackmailed him, but this should be thoroughly investigated," he said.
Leader of opposition and Trinamool's Ballygunge MLA Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay also visited Das's home. He noted, "There were no complaints against Das, no summons, and no agency investigation was underway against him." Chairman of South Dum Dum Municipality, Kasturi Chowdhury, held a protest outside the hospital demanding an immediate probe.
Police Response
Police have registered an unnatural death case and stated that they have not yet received any complaint. No suicide note has been found.
