Kolkata, 23 May (H.S.): Sanjay Das, a councillor of All India Trinamool Congress from Ward No. 18 of the South Dum Dum Municipality, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at his residence on Saturday morning. His body was reportedly found hanging inside the house.

Family members and local residents immediately rushed him to a hospital in Nagerbazar, where doctors declared him dead.

The police have registered a case of unnatural death and initiated an investigation into the incident. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination. According to preliminary findings, no suicide note has yet been recovered. Investigators are probing whether the case was a suicide or if any other circumstances were involved.

Local sources claimed that Sanjay Das had been suffering from mental stress and depression for the past few days. He was considered an influential figure in the health department of the South Dum Dum Municipality and was also said to play an active role in the North Kolkata district organisation of the Trinamool Congress.

Sources further stated that Sanjay Das shared close ties with Aditi Munshi and her husband, TMC councillor Debraj Chakraborty. Local residents alleged that Debraj Chakraborty had played an important role in securing Sanjay Das a party ticket during the municipal elections and later in assigning him significant responsibilities within the municipality. Sanjay Das had also reportedly campaigned actively on social media in support of Aditi Munshi.

The incident has once again intensified discussions surrounding the South Dum Dum Municipality. In recent months, the Enforcement Directorate has stepped up its activities in connection with an alleged municipal recruitment corruption case. Former minister and ex-MLA Sujit Bose was recently arrested in connection with the matter, while former South Dum Dum Municipality chairman Pachu Roy has also been questioned. Local sources claimed that Sanjay Das had links with Sujit Bose as well.

Notably, Aditi Munshi and Debraj Chakraborty had recently approached the Calcutta High Court seeking protection from arrest in another case. They were accused of transferring large amounts of property in the names of relatives and benami entities ahead of elections. The court had orally observed that no coercive action should be taken against them till June 19.

Senior lawyer and CPI(M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya had represented them in the matter, which has also triggered political controversy.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey