Indian politician Ashish Banerjee found dead; note denies corruption role

A 75-year-old Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former West Bengal, India, deputy speaker, Ashish Banerjee, was found dead at a party office near his residence in Birbhum district on Sunday morning, according to Indian media reports.

Banerjee’s body was reportedly found hanging at the party office.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to reports, Banerjee allegedly left a note in which he denied involvement in alleged corruption and irregularities linked to the Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority (TRDA), where he had served as chairman.

In the alleged note, Banerjee said he had no role in decisions related to tenders, issuing cheques, approving construction projects or granting no-objection certificates (NOCs).

He reportedly stated that no files had been brought to him during his three-and-a-half-year tenure at the TRDA. He also said he was not a member of the tender committee and did not have authority to sign cheques.

Banerjee further claimed that he had neither approved any projects nor issued any NOCs and had not been consulted about the matters under investigation.

Political reactions from the TMC emerged following his death.

Authorities are investigating the incident as well as the contents and authenticity of the alleged note.