Bristi Mukherjee, Niece of Mamata Banerjee, Found Dead at Birbhum Residence

Bristi Mukherjee, the niece of Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, was found hanging at her residence in Birbhum district on Tuesday, according to local police.

The body of the 28-year-old, daughter of Banerjee's maternal cousin Nihar Mukherjee, was recovered from a second-floor room at her house in Kusumba village within the Rampurhat area during the afternoon.

Nihar Mukherjee has previously served as the TMC president of the Rampurhat-I block.

A senior police officer stated that the body was sent for a post-mortem examination to the Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital. Authorities have registered a case of unnatural death and launched an investigation to establish the circumstances leading to the incident.

According to family members, Mukherjee had been suffering from depression and was taking medication over the past few years. Relatives stated that she had been under considerable personal and professional stress recently.

Family members noted that Mukherjee had lost her Group C job at Bolpur High School following a court order that cancelled recruitments in government-aided schools amid allegations of irregularities during the previous TMC regime. Additionally, they mentioned that she was going through ongoing divorce proceedings, which added to her distress in recent months.

Describing the scene, a family member stated that Mukherjee was found hanging with a white dhoti tied to the ceiling fan around her neck. Another relative added that she typically stayed alone in her room, communicated little with family members, and had not been seen outside over the preceding few days.

Police have questioned family members as part of the ongoing probe. Another police official indicated that while it could be a case of suicide, no final conclusions would be drawn until the post-mortem examination and other procedural inquiries are completed.

"This unfortunate incident highlights the immense personal and professional pressures individuals can face when dealing with sudden career disruptions, legal battles, and personal transitions. In any professional ecosystem, maintaining a strong support system and prioritizing mental health remains critically important during times of severe uncertainty and distress." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes