This article discusses the death of a public figure. Police have indicated suicide as one line of investigation, but no cause of death has yet been officially established. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out: iCall — 9152987821 (Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-10 p.m.); Vandrevala Foundation — 1860 2662 345 (24x7); AASRA — 9820466726 (24x7); Snehi — 91-22-2772 6771 (12 noon - 8 p.m.).
A Councillor Is Dead. A Family Is Grieving. Everything Else Can Wait for Facts.
A Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor and Chairman-in-Council (Health and Sports) of the South Dum Dum Municipality was found dead at his Kolkata residence on Saturday morning, May 23. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and are investigating.
According to reporting by The Tribune, Deccan Chronicle and National Herald India: Sanjay Das, age 50 (according to The Tribune and Deccan Chronicle; some other reports have cited 49; police have not officially confirmed), served as Chairman-in-Council (Health and Sports) at South Dum Dum Municipality and as elected councillor for Ward No. 18. The incident occurred at his residence in the Nagerbazar area, on the northern outskirts of Kolkata.
He was rushed to a local private hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The body has been sent for post-mortem. A case of unnatural death has been registered at the Nagerbazar police station. According to The Tribune, police told reporters that, prima facie, the death is being investigated as a possible death by suicide. No suicide note has been recovered, and the cause of death will be officially confirmed only after the autopsy and full investigation are complete.
What Other Claims Are in the Public Domain
Several allegations have appeared in local reporting. We list them here exactly as they are — as allegations, not as established facts: Some reports have claimed that Das was a close associate of TMC councillor Debraj Chakraborty of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. Local residents told reporters that posters making allegations against Das had appeared near his home in recent days. BJP state minister Agnimitra Paul made remarks about Das's alleged network — such political statements are reported as her views and do not constitute proof. No court has so far made any finding against Das, and no investigative agency has publicly linked him to any specific ongoing case.
Broader Political Context
According to The Tribune and National Herald India, Das's death comes against a difficult period for the TMC in West Bengal. The party has had recent electoral setbacks. Former minister Sujit Bose was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on May 11, 2026, in connection with an alleged municipal recruitment scam, and faces a PMLA case. Former South Dum Dum Municipality chairman Panchu Roy has reportedly been questioned by the ED. It is important to be clear: Das has not been named in any official investigation that this publication has been able to verify.
What This Story Is — and Is Not
It is not a confirmed suicide until the post-mortem and police investigation conclude. It is not a confirmed corruption case linked to Das personally; allegations on posters are not the same as charges. It is not the BJP's or TMC's story to claim today. It is, first, a family's loss. It is a registered case of unnatural death currently under police investigation.
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FAQ
Q1. Has the cause of death been officially confirmed? No. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and indicated suicide as one line of investigation. The official cause will follow the post-mortem.
Q2. Was a suicide note found? No suicide note has been recovered, according to police.
Q3. Is the family making any specific allegations? At the time of writing, the family had not publicly made specific allegations. The investigation is ongoing.
What Happens Next
Post-mortem report will help establish the cause of death. Nagerbazar police are continuing the probe. Both TMC and opposition parties have made statements; further coverage should remain cautious until facts are confirmed.
Sources
The Tribune, Deccan Chronicle, National Herald India, Kolkata Police press briefings.
Bottom line: A councillor is dead. A family is grieving. A police investigation has just begun. Everything else — politics, accusations, theories — can wait for the facts.
Last updated: May 24, 2026 — 3:00 p.m. IST