The body of Habulal Gop was recovered under suspicious circumstances in West Bengal’s Purulia district on Friday morning, a day after he reportedly left home to attend a wedding ceremony. The incident has triggered fresh political tension in the district, with the victim’s family and local BJP leaders alleging that he was murdered because of his political involvement.
According to family members and local residents, 45-year-old Gop, a resident of Beldi village, had gone out on Thursday night to attend a marriage function in a nearby area. However, he did not return home afterwards, which raised concern among relatives. Early on Friday morning, locals reportedly spotted a body lying near Kanali village under the jurisdiction of Purulia Muffasil Police Station and informed the police.
Police teams soon reached the location and recovered the body. Officials then shifted the remains for post-mortem examination to Purulia Government Medical College and Hospital. Authorities said the exact cause of death would become clearer only after the medical examination report is received.
Gop was known in the area as an active worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party and served as the party’s Shakti Kendra Pramukh. Local BJP leaders claimed he had been actively involved in organisational work and political campaigning in the region. Soon after news of the death spread, BJP supporters and workers gathered in the locality, alleging that the killing was politically motivated.
Family members strongly rejected the possibility of accidental death and alleged that Gop had been “murdered in a planned manner.” Relatives demanded immediate arrests and a detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to his death. Some family members also claimed that he had no known personal disputes and insisted that his political activities may have made him a target.
The incident also led to outrage among members of the BJP Yuva Morcha, who reached the area and demanded strict action against those responsible. Supporters gathered near the village and raised slogans seeking justice for Gop. Police personnel were deployed in the area to prevent any escalation of tension.
Officials said an investigation has been initiated from multiple angles, including possible personal and political motives. Police added that statements from family members, local residents, and people who attended the wedding event are being recorded as part of the probe. No arrests had been made at the time of reporting.
The death has once again intensified the already charged political atmosphere in West Bengal, where allegations of attacks and violence involving political workers from rival parties frequently become flashpoints for confrontation. BJP leaders in the district accused the ruling establishment of failing to ensure safety for opposition workers, while police maintained that the investigation would proceed based on evidence and post-mortem findings.
