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Asish Banerjee, former Bengal Minister and Trinamool leader, found dead in party office
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Former West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Ashis Banerjee was found dead on Sunday, August 16, 2026. The 75-year-old leader was a five term Trinamool Congress MLA and was Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly from 2021 to 26. He lost the 2026 Assembly polls to Bharatiya Janata Party’s Dhruba Saha.A note was also found and the body has been sent for autopsy. Asish Banerjee, who taught at Rampurhat College, was a leader with a clean image. The note stated that he was not involved in any “wrongdoing”. “I had nothing to do with corruption and yet all these completely false allegations to malign me…” the note read.The Trinamool Congress was apparently referred to supposed allegations of wrongdoings related to the Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority where he had served as the chairperson.Leaders across political lines expressed grief over untimely demise of the Trinamool Congress leader. After the change in the regime in the State, several Trinamool Congress leaders are being investigated for alleged role in corruption in the Trinamool Congress regime. Several leaders and former MLAs have been arrested.TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee condoled the death of Asish Banerjee, saying that the demise, “should trouble the conscience of everyone who believes that politics and journalism must have boundaries.”Abhishek Banerjee added that, “those participated in this smear campaign should reflect on the human consequences of their words and actions. Political battles will come and go, but a life once lost can never be brought back.”The tragic death of former MLA and former Dy Speaker of WBLA Asish Banerjee is not merely heartbreaking, it should trouble the conscience of everyone who believes that politics and journalism must have boundaries. A lifelong teacher and public servant, Asish Da devoted… pic.twitter.com/Es2kpQyfiZ— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) August 16, 2026Those in distress could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers: Lifeline Foundation: +91 033 24637401, +91 033 24637432, 91639 40404, 90880 30303 Samikhani: 033-24663504, 7044087949. National / Toll-Free Option: KIRAN Mental Health Helpline at 1800-599-0019 (24x7) Published - August 16, 2026 11:06 am IST
The death of wild boars in Vorkady panchayat on the Kasaragod-Dakshina Kannada border has raised concerns, with the carcasses of at least 10 animals reportedly found in different parts of the panchayat over the past two weeks.Locals suspect that the actual number of deaths could be higher, with two more carcasses, including that of a large female wild boar, found on Thursday. The carcasses were found mainly in areas including Poyya and Kalla Jail.Poyya ward member K.M. Malathi said 10 wild boars were found dead in the Poyya area alone. Locals suspect that the number of deaths could be more. Mass death of wild boars was first reported in the area 15 days ago.Meanwhile, officials from Health, Animal Husbandry and Forest departments visited the area and conducted an inspection. Serum samples were sent to the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Kannur for detailed analysis to determine the cause of death.The residents urged the authorities to ensure that the carcasses were safely disposed of to prevent any possible health or environmental risk. Concerns were raised by residents following the detection of an H1N1 influenza case in Vorkady panchayat. Published - August 15, 2026 01:53 am IST
A 32-year-old man and his wife were found dead at their house under suspicious circumstances in northwest Bengaluru’s Rajagopalnagar on Friday, police said.The deceased have been identified as Sumanth Jain, a native of Dakshina Kannada, and his 28-year-old wife, Padmavathi. The couple had been married for over three years and had been residing in a rented house near Hegganahalli for the past four months.According to the police, the couple allegedly had a fight over a marital issue on Thursday night, which escalated and might have ended with Jain killing his wife and subsequently reportedly taking his own life out of fear of the consequences.The incident came to light when Jain’s relatives arrived at his house. An investigator in the case told The Hindu that Jain had sent a voice message to his mother on Friday at 1.30 a.m., saying that he was taking his life and that she could take his belongings. However, the mother checked the phone later in the day and tried to call him multiple times.“All calls to him went unanswered, prompting Jain’s mother to call a relative to check on her son. When they went to his house on Friday evening, the incident came to light and we were informed subsequently,” the officer said.The officer noted that the police are yet to establish how he allegedly killed his wife and what the trigger point was. Police have sent both bodies for post-mortem, and the exact cause of death will only be known after the report is received. They have also not ruled out the possibility of self-harm by both.For now, Rajagopalnagar police have registered an FIR under Section 103 of the BNS, which deals with murder. In addition, an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) has also been filed.According to the police, Jain worked as a civil engineer at a company in Nandini Layout, while Padmavathi also worked as an engineer at a company in east Bengaluru’s Whitefield. The bodies of the deceased will be handed over to their families after the post-mortem.(If you are in distress or having suicidal tendencies, please reach out to these helplines: TeleMANAS at 1-8008914416/ 14416, NIMHANS at 08026685948, 9480829670 or SAHAI at 080 25497777, +91-9886444075) Published - August 15, 2026 01:23 am IST
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