2 weeks ago
Ex-Bengal Deputy Speaker Ashis Banerjee Found Dead at TMC Office
A very important politician in West Bengal, India, died on Sunday morning.
His name was Ashis Banerjee, and he was 74 years old.
He used to be the deputy speaker of the state assembly and had been elected from the town of Rampurhat five times.
His body was found hanging inside his political party's office, right next to his home.
Police found a note near him that looked like a suicide note.
In the note he wrote that no one is responsible for his death and that he was sorry he had entered politics.
He also said he had never taken money for any work and had no role in decisions made by a local development authority.
Police say it seems mostly like a suicide, but they are still looking into what happened.
Earlier this year, Mr. Banerjee lost his seat in the election to a candidate from a rival party.
Some leaders from his party say he was treated unfairly and humiliated, and people are waiting to learn the truth.
Former West Bengal Assembly deputy speaker Ashis Banerjee, 74, was found hanging at a TMC party office in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on the morning of August 16, 2026.
A purported suicide note recovered from the office read 'No one is responsible for my death'; Birbhum SP Vidit Raj Bhundesh called it 'primarily' a suicide case.
The note reportedly expressed regret over entering politics, denied corruption and any role in Tarapith-Rampurhat Development Authority (TRDA) decisions, and said he had been maligned and humiliated; its authenticity was not independently verified.
Banerjee, a five-time TMC MLA who represented Rampurhat continuously from 2001 to 2026, served as Assembly deputy speaker and as a minister under Mamata Banerjee; his body was sent for post-mortem.
He had lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP's Dhruba Saha by 24,233 votes in the 2026 Assembly election; TMC leaders alleged a smear campaign against him, while Saha called for a proper investigation.
- Who
- Ashis Banerjee (also spelled Asish/Ashish), 74, former Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly, five-time TMC MLA from Rampurhat and former state minister; reactions came from TMC leaders Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee and Kunal Ghosh, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MLA Dhruba Saha and Birbhum police.
- What
- Found dead, hanging inside a TMC party office, with a purported suicide note recovered; his body was sent for post-mortem examination and police are investigating the circumstances.
- Where
- A TMC party office in Hattala Para, near his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, West Bengal.
- When
- Sunday morning, August 16, 2026.
- Why
- Police say it is 'primarily' a suicide case; the note states no one was responsible for his death, while TMC leaders cited alleged political pressure and a smear campaign, and police are investigating what prompted the death.
TMC alleges smear campaign and political pressure
Police cite suicide; BJP seeks due process
Cause of death
TMC alleges smear campaign and political pressure
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said it is too early to conclude Banerjee died by suicide and called for a neutral investigation, citing alleged political pressure and a purported video of a BJP leader insulting him.
Police cite suicide; BJP seeks due process
Birbhum SP Vidit Raj Bhundesh, citing the note reading 'No one is responsible for my death,' said it is 'primarily' a suicide case; police are awaiting the post-mortem report.
Responsibility for alleged humiliation and threats
TMC alleges smear campaign and political pressure
TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said the note raised 'serious and troubling questions' about an alleged smear campaign and said the BJP and sections of the media should reflect on amplifying allegations before the truth is established.
Police cite suicide; BJP seeks due process
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expressed apprehension that corrupt elements within TMC might have threatened Banerjee; BJP MLA Dhruba Saha, who defeated him, expressed grief and called for a proper investigation.
Key facts
- Name
- Ashis Banerjee (also spelled Asish/Ashish)
- Age
- 74; survived by wife and son
- Party
- Trinamool Congress (TMC)
- Political record
- Five-time MLA from Rampurhat (2001-2026); Deputy Speaker of the Assembly; minister in Mamata Banerjee's government (agriculture, school education, AYUSH, biotechnology, statistics and planning portfolios)
- 2026 election result
- Lost to BJP's Dhruba Saha: Saha 1,11,920 votes; Banerjee 87,687; margin 24,233 (per Election Commission of India)
- Suicide note
- 'No one is responsible for my death'; reportedly regret over entering politics, denial of corruption and no role in TRDA decisions; authenticity not independently verified
- Police statement
- Birbhum SP Vidit Raj Bhundesh: 'Primarily it's a suicide case.'
- Investigation status
- Body sent for post-mortem; exact circumstances under investigation
Quotes
Vidit Raj Bhundesh
Superintendent of Police for Birbhum district
“The passing of Asish Banerjee has left me deeply disturbed. He spent much of his life teaching and serving society with dedication, always known for his humble nature and close bond with the people of Rampurhat and Birbhum. What makes this tragedy even more painful is the immense mental and emotional strain he appears to have endured in his final days.”
freepressjournal.in
“Primarily it’s a suicide case. We have found a suicide note in which he has written, ‘No one is responsible for my death,'”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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