TMC leader Sanjay Raut, father found dead in Ashoknagar, Bengal
Synopsis
A local TMC leader and his elderly father were found dead at their Ashoknagar home on 3 October in what police are treating as a mysterious double death. With initial suspicion pointing to suicide amid reported business losses, the case now hinges on postmortem findings — and is likely to draw sharp political scrutiny in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
Sanjay Raut (49) , a local TMC leader, was found hanging at his residence in Ashoknagar , North 24 Parganas , on 3 October .
His father Kamal Raut (72) was found unconscious in the same room and died shortly after being rushed to Ashoknagar State General Hospital .
Local residents said Kamal was reportedly administered sleeping pills, while Sanjay died by hanging — but these remain unconfirmed pending a postmortem.
Sanjay was reportedly under financial stress due to losses in his export-import business in the period before his death.
Ashoknagar police have launched a detailed investigation; the postmortem report will determine the official cause of death.
A local All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and his elderly father were found dead under mysterious circumstances at their home in Ashoknagar, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, on Saturday, 3 October, according to police. The deceased have been identified as Sanjay Raut (49), a prominent local TMC functionary, and his father Kamal Raut (72).
How the Bodies Were Discovered
According to local residents who spoke to the media, family members discovered Sanjay Raut's body hanging from the balcony of their residence in Ward No. 13 of Ashoknagar-Kalyangarh Municipality on Saturday afternoon. Kamal Raut was found in an unconscious state on a bed in the same room shortly after.
'Kamal Raut was recovered from the house in an unconscious state. He was rushed to Ashoknagar State General Hospital where doctors declared him dead. It is initially believed that Kamal had taken sleeping pills, while Sanjay died by hanging himself from the ceiling,' a local resident said.
A district police officer confirmed that Kamal was still alive when first discovered and was immediately rushed to hospital, but he died shortly after arrival. Both bodies have since been sent for postmortem examination.
Who Was Sanjay Raut
Sanjay Raut was described by locals as a well-known political figure in the Ashoknagar area and a close confidant of Narayan Goswami, the former TMC legislator from the Ashoknagar Assembly Constituency. Beyond politics, Sanjay was also involved in the export-import business. He was unmarried and lived with his father.
Some local residents noted that in the period leading up to his death, Sanjay had reportedly been under considerable stress due to business-related financial losses, though this has not been officially confirmed by investigators.
Police Investigation Under Way
The Ashoknagar police have launched a detailed investigation into the incident. While initial suspicion pointed toward a possible case of suicide — with the preliminary theory being that Sanjay may have administered sleeping pills to his father before taking his own life — authorities have been careful not to draw firm conclusions.
'The real reasons behind their deaths will be known only after the detailed postmortem report is available,' a district police officer said. No arrests have been reported so far, and the police have not ruled out other possibilities pending the forensic findings.
Broader Context
This comes amid a broader pattern of political figures in West Bengal being linked to incidents of violence and sudden death, which have frequently drawn scrutiny from opposition parties and civil society groups. The deaths of a sitting local TMC leader and his father in the same incident will likely attract political attention in the state. The postmortem report is expected to be the key determinant of whether this case is treated as a double suicide or investigated further as a possible criminal matter.
Point of View
Under circumstances that remain officially unexplained, deserve more than a routine investigation. West Bengal has seen a troubling frequency of political figures dying in ambiguous circumstances, and the pattern of initial suicide framing followed by inconclusive postmortems has drawn repeated criticism from opposition parties and rights groups. The reported business losses provide a plausible personal motive, but the double nature of the deaths — and the involvement of a figure close to a sitting former legislator — means investigators will face pressure to demonstrate rigour. The credibility of the postmortem process, not just its findings, will matter here.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Sanjay Raut and Kamal Raut found dead in Ashoknagar?
Sanjay Raut (49) was a local TMC leader in Ashoknagar, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, and a close associate of former TMC MLA Narayan Goswami. Kamal Raut (72) was his father, who lived with him. Both were found dead at their Ward No. 13 residence on 3 October.
What are the suspected causes of death?
Initial suspicion, according to local residents and preliminary police assessment, is that Sanjay Raut died by hanging and his father Kamal Raut may have consumed sleeping pills. However, police have not confirmed this officially and are awaiting the postmortem report before drawing conclusions.
Has the Ashoknagar police registered a case?
Yes, the Ashoknagar police have launched a detailed investigation into the deaths of both Sanjay and Kamal Raut. Both bodies have been sent for postmortem examination, and the official cause of death will be determined once the forensic report is available.
What was Sanjay Raut's background?
Sanjay Raut was a well-known political figure in Ashoknagar and a confidant of former TMC legislator Narayan Goswami. He was also involved in export-import business and was reportedly facing financial stress due to business losses in the period before his death.
What happens next in the investigation?
The Ashoknagar police are conducting a detailed probe, and the postmortem report on both Sanjay and Kamal Raut is the key next step. Depending on the findings, the case could be treated as a double suicide or investigated as a potential criminal matter.
