Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Skeletal Remains Exhumed in Sandeshkhali Post-Poll Death Probe
Astik Chandra Das was a BJP worker in West Bengal.
His family says he was attacked after the 2021 election results were announced.
They say he could not get proper hospital treatment and later died at home.
The family also says they were forced to bury him without a post-mortem examination.
Years later, a court ordered officials to dig up the burial site.
Police exhumed the skeletal remains while a magistrate and family members watched.
The remains will be examined to help determine how Das died.
The family wants strict action and may seek a CBI investigation.
Skeletal remains identified as those of BJP worker Astik Chandra Das were exhumed in Sandeshkhali following a court order.
Das’s family alleges he was assaulted by Trinamool Congress supporters after the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election results.
The family claims he died at home after being denied specialized hospital treatment and was buried without a post-mortem.
Authorities exhumed the remains in the presence of a magistrate and relatives, and videographed the procedure.
The remains were sent for post-mortem and forensic examination, while the family has sought a thorough probe and possible CBI investigation.
- Who
- Astik Chandra Das, his family, police authorities, and alleged Trinamool Congress supporters are central to the case.
- What
- Skeletal remains believed to be Das’s were exhumed as part of a renewed investigation into his alleged post-poll death.
- When
- Das allegedly died after the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election results; the remains were exhumed on Sunday, five years later.
- Where
- Jhanjhaniya village in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
- Why
- The exhumation was ordered by a court to enable post-mortem and forensic examination and help determine the cause of death.
Family and BJP Allegations
Official Investigative Position
Cause and circumstances of death
Family and BJP Allegations
Das’s family and the BJP allege that Trinamool Congress supporters assaulted him during a victory procession, causing serious injuries that led to his death.
Official Investigative Position
Police have not announced a cause of death; the remains were sent for post-mortem and forensic examination to establish what happened.
Treatment and burial
Family and BJP Allegations
The family claims they were prevented from taking Das to a hospital for specialized treatment and were forced to bury him without a post-mortem.
Official Investigative Position
Authorities have begun a court-ordered exhumation process, with the procedure videographed and conducted in the presence of a magistrate and relatives.
Role of authorities
Family and BJP Allegations
The family and BJP allege that police personnel remained outside the home and that police failed to act during the alleged violence.
Official Investigative Position
The available police statements describe the procedural steps being taken but do not establish responsibility for the death.
- Deceased
- Astik Chandra Das, described as a BJP worker
- Incident period
- After the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election results
- Location
- Jhanjhaniya village, Sandeshkhali, West Bengal
- Exhumation
- Conducted on Sunday in the presence of a magistrate and family members
- Examination
- The remains were sent for post-mortem and forensic analysis
- Family’s request
- A thorough investigation, possible CBI involvement, and stringent action
- Political context
- The allegations concern violence following the Trinamool Congress’s 2021 election victory