Former Bengal deputy speaker Asish Banerjee found dead at TMC office

Asish Banerjee, five-time Trinamool Congress MLA and former West Bengal deputy speaker, was found hanging at a party office in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning. Police recovered a purported suicide note from the spot. Banerjee had lost the 2026 assembly election to BJP's Dhruva Saha by over 24,000 votes.

Banerjee's brother Prasanta said the ex-MLA had dinner with family on Saturday night and showed no signs of stress. The Hindustan Times reports the purported note says Banerjee claimed he was never involved in corruption and that efforts were made to tarnish his image. It also refers to the Tarapith-Rampurhat Development Authority, with Banerjee denying any role in its tenders or approvals.

The BJP, which won the 2026 Bengal polls, had alleged financial corruption at the TRDA involving Banerjee. Police are investigating the circumstances and contents of the note. A post-mortem has been ordered.