Rampurhat, August 16: The recovery of a detailed note alongside the body of former West Bengal Assembly Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee has raised critical questions regarding administrative pressure and political rivalries in Birbhum district. Found hanging inside a party office in Ward No. 5 of Rampurhat, the veteran leader had served as Agriculture Minister and represented the constituency for 25 consecutive years prior to his 2026 electoral loss.
Investigators reported that the document explicitly denied any personal involvement in approval processes, contract tenders, or no-objection certificates issued by the regional development authority.
“I have never resorted to corruption in my entire life. I was in politics from my student days but was never involved in any kind of corruption,” Banerjee declared in the note found near his body. He affirmed that although he observed internal issues, he had chosen not to create public discord.
Family members maintained that public attempts to tarnish his reputation severely impacted the former college professor, who had been conversing cheerfully with associates until late Saturday night.
“He could not accept such defamation. They kept accusing a professor of corruption. This is not suicide—he has been killed,” asserted his sister-in-law, Deepa Banerjee.
Though the note concludes with a clause stating no specific individual should be held liable for his death, police authorities are examining whether external pressures amounted to abetment. Local officials confirmed that legal proceedings will proceed based on the forensic findings and statements from immediate family members.
