Bengal cop shoots himself dead on duty in West Burdwan, probe launched
Synopsis
A West Bengal traffic constable, Sanjay Jana, allegedly shot himself with his service revolver while on duty near Panagarh Bypass on Tuesday night — the second such incident involving a Bengal cop in just two months, following the death of Kolkata Police commando Deepak Tamang in September. With a forensic probe now under way and a young son left behind, the case raises urgent questions about mental health support within the state's police force.
Key Takeaways
Constable Sanjay Jana , posted at the Kanksa Traffic Guard , allegedly died by suicide on Tuesday night, 4 November , near Panagarh Bypass on National Highway 19 in West Burdwan .
Jana was found unconscious by colleagues after a roadside truck moved away; he was declared dead at a Durgapur hospital.
He is survived by an 11-year-old son ; investigators are probing possible personal or professional difficulties.
A forensic team has been notified and will examine the scene; the area has been cordoned off.
In a similar incident in September , Kolkata Police commando Deepak Tamang, 49 , was found dead by hanging at the Police Training School in Kolkata — marking the second such death within West Bengal Police in two months.
A police constable allegedly died by suicide after shooting himself in the head with his service revolver while on duty in West Bengal's West Burdwan district on Tuesday night, 4 November 2026, police said. The constable, identified as Sanjay Jana, was posted at the Kanksa Traffic Guard and was originally from Asansol.
How the Incident Unfolded
The incident occurred on National Highway 19 near the Panagarh Bypass late Tuesday night. According to police sources, Jana was on duty alongside fellow officers when a truck parked by the roadside moved away. His colleagues then discovered him lying unconscious on the road in a pool of blood.
The officers immediately rushed him to a hospital in Durgapur, where doctors examined him and declared him dead. The area has since been cordoned off as part of the ongoing investigation.
Investigation Under Way
Police have launched a formal probe to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and what may have led Jana to allegedly take his own life. A forensic team has been notified and is expected to visit the site to collect evidence and conduct an examination of the scene.
Sources said Jana resided in the quarters at Asansol Police Lines and is survived by his 11-year-old son. Investigators are working to determine whether he had been facing any personal or professional difficulties in the days leading up to the incident. Family members are also expected to be questioned to gather information about his state of mind.
A Pattern of Concern Within Bengal Police
This comes amid growing concern over mental health within West Bengal's police force. In a similar incident in September, the body of a 49-year-old Kolkata Police commando, identified as Deepak Tamang, was recovered from a toilet at the Police Training School (PTS) in Kolkata. Tamang, a resident of Kalimpong in north Bengal, was found hanging inside the premises.
His body was subsequently sent to SSKM Hospital. Investigators reportedly found a ligature mark around his neck. While police officers described the incident as a suicide, the department launched a separate investigation to ascertain the precise circumstances. Tamang had served as a commando with the Kolkata Police for several years and was reportedly well-regarded within the force.
What Happens Next
Authorities have yet to officially rule out other possibilities in the Jana case, with a forensic examination pending. The back-to-back incidents are likely to intensify scrutiny of welfare and mental health support systems within the West Bengal Police. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected once the forensic team submits its findings.
Point of View
Who operate under sustained occupational stress with little institutional recourse. Routine investigations into individual circumstances will not address the structural problem. What Bengal Police — and indeed police forces across India — need is a credible, confidential welfare framework with proactive outreach, not post-facto inquiries. Without that, incident tallies will continue to rise.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to constable Sanjay Jana in West Burdwan?
Constable Sanjay Jana, posted at the Kanksa Traffic Guard, allegedly shot himself in the head with his service revolver while on duty near Panagarh Bypass on National Highway 19 on Tuesday night, 4 November. He was rushed to a hospital in Durgapur, where he was declared dead.
Who was Sanjay Jana and who is he survived by?
Sanjay Jana was a police constable from Asansol posted at the Kanksa Traffic Guard in West Bengal's West Burdwan district. He resided in quarters at Asansol Police Lines and is survived by his 11-year-old son.
What investigation has been launched into the incident?
West Bengal Police have launched a formal probe to determine the circumstances that may have led Jana to allegedly take his own life. A forensic team has been informed and will visit the site to collect evidence. Investigators are also expected to question Jana's family members about his state of mind in the days preceding the incident.
Is this an isolated incident or part of a larger pattern?
This is at least the second such incident involving a West Bengal police officer in recent months. In September, Kolkata Police commando Deepak Tamang, 49, was found dead by hanging in a toilet at the Police Training School in Kolkata. Both deaths are being investigated as suicides, raising concerns about mental health support within the force.
Who was Deepak Tamang and what happened in his case?
Deepak Tamang was a 49-year-old Kolkata Police commando from Kalimpong in north Bengal, reportedly well-regarded within the force. His body was recovered from a toilet at the Police Training School in Kolkata in September and sent to SSKM Hospital. While police described the death as a suicide, a separate departmental investigation was launched to establish the full circumstances.
