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3-year-old found dead in elevator shaft after going missing from building’s roof in Kolkata

While the boy's family has not filed a formal complaint and the Kolkata police have ruled out foul play at this stage, the body has been sent for an autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death.

2 min readJan 22, 2026 02:37 PM IST

Preliminary investigations indicate the child suffered severe head injuries consistent with a fall from height.

A three-year-old boy died after falling into an open lift shaft at an under-construction building in Central Kolkata’s Entally area Wednesday evening.

According to local police sources, the victim, identified as Pritam Rajbanshi, had gone to the roof of the four-storey building at 4/51 Convent Lane with his mother, Kajal Kumari, to collect laundry around 4.30 pm.

The sources added that Kumari asked the toddler to start going downstairs ahead of her. However, when she reached the lower floors, she found that the child was missing.

The family immediately reported the disappearance to the Entally Police Station, prompting a search of the building and the surrounding area. During the search, officers found the boy unconscious at the bottom of the lift duct on the ground floor. He was rushed to NRS Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him “brought dead”.

Preliminary investigations indicate the child suffered severe head injuries consistent with a fall from height.

Although the family has not filed a formal complaint and the police have ruled out foul play at this stage, the body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to confirm the exact cause of death.

The boy’s death has raised serious concerns about safety measures at under-construction sites in the area.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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