After 38-year-old ‘dies by suicide’ in Bengal, family says he couldn’t find parents’ documents for SIR, broke down a day ago

According to family members, Saha did not have his name listed in the 2002 voter list and neither could find the papers of his deceased parents.

“My in-laws were reluctant about politics, so they never voted. They have passed way. We couldn’t find their old documents. My husband’s name was not in the 2002 voter list. He lived in constant fear and repeatedly said he would kill himself. I never imagined he would actually do it. My husband took his life because he didn’t have proper documents,” his wife Priya Saha told mediapersons.

Neighbour Apu Biswas recounted that Saha broke down the previous evening, saying, “When I met Tarak yesterday evening, he broke down in tears. He told me that both his parents had passed away and that he didn’t have any valid documents for them.”

Local sources said Saha, a former rickshaw driver, who had recently opened a small spice and puffed‑rice stall, was found searching his room for documents until around 1 am on Thursday. After leaving his physically disabled son at the shop, he returned home and took his own life.

His wife works as a domestic help. Their daughter is married, and their only son is physically disabled.

“We learned that Tarak was searching for documents in his room till around 1 a.m. last night. When he couldn’t find them, he became mentally devastated. On Thursday afternoon, after leaving his son at the shop, he came home and hanged himself,” a local resident said.

Berhampore Municipality councillor Jayanta Pramanik said, “In recent days, statements by BJP leaders have created widespread panic, especially in slum areas where literacy is low.” He added that officials are trying to reassure residents that assistance will be provided to obtain necessary papers. “I heard that the man was still searching for some papers this morning but couldn’t find them,” he said.