Play store
Bristi Mukhopadhyay, niece of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was found hanging at her family home in Kusumba village of Rampurhat, Birbhum, on Tuesday.
Police recovered her body and sent it to Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital. Police initially suspect that Bristi died by suicide, although the exact circumstances remain unclear. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of her death.
Bristi was the daughter of Nihar Mukhopadhyay, Mamata Banerjee’s maternal cousin. She had worked as a clerk at Bolpur High School.
Her job was cancelled in March 2023 following a Calcutta High Court order over alleged irregularities in the recruitment process conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC).
Her father had previously maintained that Bristi was a good student and had secured the job on her own merit, without his intervention.
Family members said Bristi had recently been going through a divorce case and was under considerable emotional strain. They also said she had been suffering from depression for the past four to five years and was receiving treatment.
According to a relative, Bristi had recently been spending most of her time alone in her room and rarely spoke to family members.
Police are investigating whether her death was linked to her personal circumstances or any other pressure.