Siliguri policeman found dead in toilet, family alleges murder
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The body of a serving policeman, Krishnamohan Jha, was recovered from the toilet of his residence in the New Colony area of Ward No. 47 in Siliguri, North Bengal, under deeply suspicious circumstances on Wednesday, 22 July. His family has rejected the possibility of a natural death, alleging that he was killed elsewhere and his body secretly placed in the toilet.
How the Body Was Discovered
According to family accounts, Jha left home on Tuesday night on his scooter. By dawn, his elder son went to use the toilet and found his father lying unconscious on the floor. The son raised an alarm, prompting wife Putul Jha and neighbours to rush to the spot. The matter was reported to Pradhan Nagar police station, and Jha was taken by ambulance to Siliguri District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Key Inconsistencies Raising Suspicion
Several details have deepened the mystery. The scooter Jha took out on Tuesday night is missing, and the house key that was reportedly in his pocket has not been found. Putul Jha has alleged that her husband was killed at a different location and his body was covertly brought back and left in the toilet. 'He was murdered in a planned manner,' she told local residents, according to reports.
A Policeman With a Troubled Recent Past
Jha, a resident of Balurghat who lived with his wife, two sons, and a daughter in Patikonoli, Siliguri, was posted at the Islampur court in North Dinajpur district. He had previously come to public attention during the 2023 Panchayat elections when, while in charge of booth number 176 in Joydevpur, Gangarampur in South Dinajpur district, he allegedly faced mob violence and threats. He was reportedly seen crying and pleading for his life before then-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Sukanta Majumdar, saying 'Save me!' — claiming that miscreants had assaulted him at the booth and threatened to kill him.
What the Police Have Said
Siliguri Police Commissioner Syed Waquar Reza confirmed that a search is underway for the missing scooter and house key. He said CCTV footage from the surrounding area is being examined. The body has been sent for autopsy to determine the precise cause of death. Reza added that once the post-mortem report is received, it will become clearer whether the death was accidental or the result of a criminal conspiracy.
Investigation Under Way
Pradhan Nagar police have formally launched a probe into the death. The family's allegations, the missing scooter, and the absent house key have collectively intensified pressure on investigators to treat this as a potential homicide. The autopsy findings are expected to be a critical turning point in determining the direction of the case.