Former West Bengal Assembly Deputy Speaker and veteran Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Ashis Banerjee was found dead at a TMC party office in Rampurhat, Birbhum, on Sunday morning, sending shockwaves through West Bengal’s political circles. Police said Banerjee’s body was found hanging inside the party office located close to his residence.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation. His body was sent for post-mortem examination, while police began examining evidence collected from the spot. A purported suicide note was also recovered from the office, although investigators are yet to establish its authenticity and determine the circumstances in which it was written.
Ashis Banerjee Found Dead at TMC Office in Rampurhat
According to police sources, Banerjee’s body was discovered at the TMC office in Hattala Para, near his residence in Rampurhat. The discovery on Sunday morning triggered an immediate police response.
Officials have not announced a definitive cause of death beyond the circumstances in which his body was found. The post-mortem examination is expected to provide further information, while investigators are also questioning people and examining the scene.
The recovery of the purported note has added another dimension to the investigation. Reports said the document contained statements concerning his political career and allegations of corruption. However, police are examining the contents and circumstances surrounding the note before drawing conclusions.
Purported Suicide Note Under Police Examination
The alleged note has attracted considerable attention because of its references to Banerjee’s political life and corruption-related allegations. According to reports, Banerjee purportedly denied involvement in corruption and expressed regret about entering politics.
The contents have circulated widely on social media, but investigators have not yet independently established that the document was written by Banerjee or confirmed all claims attributed to it.
Authorities are therefore expected to examine handwriting, circumstances at the scene and other available evidence as part of the investigation. The post-mortem report and police inquiry will be crucial in establishing what happened.
Five-Time MLA Who Represented Rampurhat for 25 Years
Banerjee was one of the prominent political figures in Birbhum and represented the Rampurhat Assembly constituency continuously from 2001 until 2026. His long political career made him a familiar figure in Bengal’s electoral and legislative politics.
He served as Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly and also held ministerial responsibilities, including the portfolios of school education and agriculture, in the TMC government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
His political career therefore extended across several electoral cycles and included important responsibilities within both the party and the state government.
Political Setback Before Ashis Banerjee’s Death
Banerjee’s death comes months after a significant political setback. He contested the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election from Rampurhat on a TMC ticket but was defeated by BJP candidate Dhruva Saha by more than 24,000 votes, according to reports.
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The defeat ended his long run as the Rampurhat MLA. Reports also indicate that Banerjee subsequently became less active in party affairs.
Earlier in 2026, he had resigned as chairman of the TMC’s Birbhum district core committee. He reportedly said he would remain a general member of the party despite stepping down from the organisational position.
His resignation followed criticism within the party over the functioning of the district committee. Banerjee had expressed support for former Lavpur MLA Abhijit Sinha, who had also raised concerns about the organisation’s functioning.
Investigation Underway as Bengal Politics Reacts
The death of a senior TMC leader and former Deputy Speaker has generated widespread political attention in West Bengal. Banerjee had remained an important figure in Birbhum politics for decades and had held multiple significant positions during his career.
At present, however, investigators have not publicly established whether political developments, personal circumstances or any other factor played a role in his death. Any connection between his political setbacks, the allegations mentioned in the purported note and his death would require evidence from the ongoing investigation.
Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the discovery, the purported note and other available evidence. The post-mortem examination is also expected to form an important part of the investigation.
For now, the death of Ashis Banerjee remains under investigation, with authorities yet to provide a final account of what led to the tragedy at the Rampurhat TMC office.
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