A 47-year-old schoolteacher and Booth Level Officer in Jadavpur, Asoke Das, was discovered hanging in his bathroom on Thursday morning. The tragic incident has ignited a fierce political controversy in Kolkata.
Family Details and Last Moments
Asoke Das worked as an assistant teacher at Baharu High School in South 24 Parganas. He served as the BLO for booth 110 at Chitkalikapur FP School in East Jadavpur. His family members described his final hours with deep sorrow.
Madhurima Das, his sister-in-law, shared poignant details with the media. She revealed that Asoke went to the market with his wife on Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning, he helped his son get ready for school. The boy studies in class IX at an English-medium school in central Kolkata.
Around 8 am, Asoke entered the bathroom. When he did not emerge after a considerable time, his wife began knocking on the door. Family members eventually broke it open. They found him hanging from the shower with a towel. No suicide note was left behind.
Immediate Aftermath and Police Response
Relatives rushed Asoke to a private hospital near Bypass. Doctors there declared him dead upon arrival. Kolkata Police commissioner Manoj Verma personally visited the residence to inspect the scene. He reviewed preliminary details with his team.
Police authorities have initiated a thorough investigation. They aim to determine the exact cause of death. Officers are also examining whether any external pressure contributed to this tragic outcome.
Political Allegations and Audio Clip
The Bengal BJP unit quickly released an audio conversation on its social media handle. In the recording, Asoke's wife Sudipta is heard making serious allegations. She claims a local Trinamool worker threatened her husband.
According to the audio, this worker acted at the instigation of the local Trinamool councillor. The threats allegedly aimed to prevent Asoke from deleting names from his part during the ongoing Summary Revision of the electoral roll. Sudipta did not speak directly to the media after the video went viral.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya made strong statements about the case. He alleged that constant fear of physical violence against his family pushed Das into extreme mental distress. The audio clip records Sudipta mentioning specific names. She points to Trinamool councillor Ananya Bandopadhyay of ward 19 and his aide Raju Das.
Sudipta claims Raju Das even threatened to harm her and her son. The family installed CCTVs at their home due to these fears.
Family's Current Stance and Brother's Account
Madhurima Das clarified the family's position while speaking to reporters. She stated they do not wish to bring politics into this death for now. However, she acknowledged the immense pressure Asoke faced in his role.
Tapas Das, the deceased's brother, provided additional insights. He works at a hotel in central Kolkata. Tapas confirmed his brother experienced significant mental pressure. Asoke often worked until 2 am and woke up by 5 am on most days.
"We did not anticipate that he would end his life in this manner," Tapas said with evident grief. He emphasized the grueling schedule his brother maintained.
Political Reactions and Denials
Councillor Ananya Bandopadhyay firmly denied all allegations against him. He pointed out that his ward has 57 parts with 57 different BLOs. Bandopadhyay challenged critics to speak with other BLOs to verify if they faced any pressure or threats.
"BJP is trying to make the audio go viral," Bandopadhyay asserted. "This is nothing but a conspiracy. It has no real validity. The fact remains that the BLO was doing his job well and, as seen across the rest of the state, they were under pressure from the Election Commission of India."
Trinamool Jadavpur MLA Debabrata Majumdar offered a different perspective. He claimed the BLO died by suicide due to the Election Commission's short-sightedness and unplanned Summary Revision processes. This statement adds another layer to the ongoing political blame game.
Broader Implications and Investigation Status
The case highlights the intense pressures faced by Booth Level Officers during electoral revisions. These officials play crucial roles in maintaining accurate voter lists. Their work often involves navigating complex political landscapes.
Kolkata Police continue their probe into Asoke Das's death. They are examining all angles, including the allegations made in the viral audio. The investigation seeks to provide clarity amid conflicting narratives.
Family members mourn their loss while dealing with the sudden media attention. They remember Asoke as a dedicated teacher and committed public servant. His untimely death has left a void in their lives and sparked wider discussions about the working conditions of electoral officials.
