Mamata Banerjee's niece found dead at her residence in Birbhum

Niece of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was found dead at her residence in West Bengal’s Birbhum on Tuesday (September 1, 2026). According to police, the 31-year-old woman was the daughter of one of Mamata Banerjee’s maternal cousins, who was also a local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader in Birbhum’s Kusumba village under Rampurhat Police Station.

The death came to light at around 12 p.m. when the body was discovered by family members on the second floor of her house. However, no note has yet been found from her belongings.

“Prima facie, her family members stated that she had been suffering from severe depression for the last few years. She was also undergoing psychiatric treatment and medication regularly. She got married in 2012. The victim was probably stressed due to the ongoing divorce case,” said Santanu Adhikary, the Inspector of Rampurhat Police Station.

Police have also learnt that she used to work in an upper primary school as a non-teaching staff. But she lost her job in March 2023 when the Calcutta High Court scrapped the recruitment of hundreds of non-teaching staff over irregularities in the 2016 West Bengal School Service Commission examination. The Supreme Court in April 2025 upheld the same order, in which nearly 26,000 employees both teaching and non-teaching employees lost their jobs.

“However, we are verifying the facts. Her family members and relatives are being questioned. An initial unnatural death report has been lodged. The body has been sent for an autopsy,” the police officer said.

Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling the following numbers: Lifeline Foundation — 9163940404, 9088030303