Alleged pressure triggered by corruption accusations appears to have played a crucial role in the death of former TMC MLA and ex-Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee, whose body was recovered on Sunday morning from a party office near his residence in Rampurhat. Birbhum. A note found near his body suggests that Banerjee had been under intense mental distress due to being implicated in a financial scandal linked to the Tarapith-Rampurhat Development Authority.
According to the contents of the note, a conspiracy had allegedly been underway for several days to frame him in the case, despite his claims of having no involvement in key administrative decisions, including the signing of important documents.
Police from Rampurhat Police Station have initiated an investigation, treating the note as a significant piece of evidence. While the note reportedly ends with a statement that no one should be held responsible for his death, it simultaneously raises serious questions about the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Banerjee’s sister-in-law, Deepa Banerjee, has accused the ruling political party of creating unbearable pressure through repeated allegations of corruption against a “highly educated and respected individual.” In an emotional statement, she claimed that such accusations had deeply affected him mentally, adding that she believes he was killed rather than having taken his own life.
“He could not accept such defamation. They kept accusing a professor of corruption. This is not suicide—he has been killed,” she alleged.
Banerjee’s brother, Prashanta Banerjee, echoed similar sentiments, stating that there were no outward signs of distress. “He appeared normal. But perhaps he was suffering internally. There must have been pressure from somewhere that led to this,” he said, recounting how he discovered the body through a gap in the door of the party office.
Sources close to the family revealed that Banerjee had been in a cheerful mood and actively conversing until late Saturday night, making the incident all the more shocking.
A seasoned political figure, Banerjee began his career in student politics with the Congress before transitioning into the TMC. Prior to entering full-time politics, he served as an associate professor at Rampurhat College. Over the years, he established himself as a prominent leader, winning the Rampurhat Assembly seat five consecutive times.
During his tenure, he held multiple ministerial portfolios, including Agriculture, and was appointed Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in 2021. However, following his electoral defeat to BJP candidate Dhruba Saha in the last Assembly elections, he had gradually distanced himself from active politics.
Banerjee was also closely associated with key political figures in Birbhum district and served as Chairman of the TMC”s Birbhum district core committee. In his final note, apart from denying any involvement in corruption, Banerjee reportedly expressed regret over entering politics and advised his family members to stay away from political life altogether.
Despite the note’s concluding line absolving others of responsibility, the conflicting claims by family members and the serious nature of the allegations have left several unanswered questions. The investigation is ongoing as authorities attempt to piece together the circumstances surrounding the veteran politician’s death.
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