Former West Bengal Assembly Deputy Speaker and senior Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office near his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday. Police have begun an investigation, while a purported note recovered from the scene is also being examined.
Asish Banerjee Found Dead at TMC Office
Senior Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found hanging inside a TMC party office adjacent to his residence in Rampurhat in West Bengal's Birbhum district on Sunday, 16 August 2026. The discovery came just a day after Banerjee had participated in a local Independence Day programme, where he hoisted the national flag. The circumstances surrounding his death were not immediately clear. Police reached the location and initiated an investigation to establish the sequence of events and determine the circumstances that led to his death. His body was sent for a postmortem examination as part of the investigation.
Purported Note Recovered, Police Begin Investigation
According to initial reports, investigators recovered a purported suicide note from the scene. The note reportedly contained Banerjee's denial of any involvement in corruption during his political career. Authorities have not yet announced a definitive conclusion regarding the circumstances of his death, and the contents and authenticity of the recovered note will form part of the investigation. Police are expected to examine available evidence and the postmortem findings before establishing what happened. Until the investigation is completed, the precise circumstances behind the senior politician's death remain under examination.
Five-Time MLA Represented Rampurhat for 25 Years
Banerjee was a prominent political figure in Birbhum and had represented the Rampurhat Assembly constituency for five consecutive terms. Beginning in 2001, he remained the constituency's MLA for 25 years until 2026 and also served as Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. His long tenure made him one of the better-known Trinamool Congress leaders from the region and gave him a significant presence in Rampurhat politics.
Lost Rampurhat Seat in 2026 Assembly Election
Banerjee's uninterrupted tenure as Rampurhat MLA ended in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, when he lost the constituency to Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Dhruba Saha. His death came only months after that electoral defeat and shortly after his participation in Independence Day celebrations. Police are continuing their investigation, and the postmortem report and examination of evidence recovered from the scene are expected to provide further clarity. Authorities had not immediately disclosed any confirmed motive or additional circumstances behind his death.
