A senior official of the West Bengal food and supplies department sustained critical injuries after falling from a fourth-floor stairwell balcony of Khadya Bhavan in central Kolkata on Monday morning. The incident has prompted an investigation to determine whether it was an accident or an attempt to die by suicide.
Incident Details
Indradeb Bhattacharya (51), a joint secretary-rank official and nodal officer of the department, was immediately taken to SSKM Hospital. Sources at the hospital confirmed that the Bhowanipore resident suffered serious injuries to his head, face, and eyes. He remains in critical condition under medical supervision.
The incident occurred shortly after office hours began at the state government headquarters of the food and supplies department. CCTV footage reportedly shows Bhattacharya heading to the sixth floor, though officials have yet to determine his reason for going there.
Investigation Underway
“It is not yet clear whether this was an accident or an attempt by him to end his life. We are trying to establish what happened in the minutes before the fall,” an official stated. Employees and visitors were startled by a loud thud that echoed through the premises. “When we reached the spot, we saw a man lying on the ground floor. Nobody could immediately understand how he had fallen,” an employee recounted.
Ajay Das, a departmental driver present on the ground floor, said he witnessed the aftermath. “We were sitting downstairs when we saw him fall from above. He was unconscious and was taken to the hospital,” Das said.
Health and Workplace Concerns
The fall has raised questions about Bhattacharya’s health and whether any underlying medical condition could have contributed. However, colleagues reported being unaware of any such ailment. Officials noted that the area where the officer landed was cluttered with dumped furniture and was immediately cordoned off for evidence collection. Departmental employees were questioned to determine if Bhattacharya had exhibited any signs of distress or unusual behaviour prior to the incident.
Medical Condition
Doctors at SSKM Hospital said he was admitted to the red zone of the Trauma Care Centre with multiple injuries, including to the head, neck, chest, and limbs. “His condition is extremely critical. We are unable to investigate the extent of injury in detail as this would mean subjecting him to various investigative tests. Our first priority is to stabilise his condition,” a doctor explained.
The investigation continues as authorities piece together the events leading to the fall.
