Another migrant worker from Purulia dies, this time in Karnataka
The Statesman | 23 February 2026
A migrant worker from Purulia has died under mysterious circumstances while working in Karnataka. The incident occurred in Bengaluru, days after the death of another worker from the district in Pune, Maharashtra.
The deceased has been identified as Prasanna Kumar (39), a resident of Chekya village under Chekya Gram Panchayat, Block No. 2, Jhalda, in Purulia district. The village falls under the jurisdiction of Kotshila police station. He had travelled to Bengaluru in February last year in search of better earning opportunities.
According to his family, Prasanna had repeatedly expressed his wish to return home, but was allegedly prevented from doing so by the contractor. They claim that on three or four occasions he secretly reached the railway station to return home, but was taken away by representatives of the contractor’s company.
Prasanna last spoke to his family on Thursday night and told them he would be returning home soon. However, he was found dead in his sleep in Karnataka on Friday. His family has alleged that he was murdered, claiming there were injury marks on his head, right finger and nose. They have demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Prasanna worked as a driver for a private company in the Sampigehalli police station area of Bengaluru under a contractor named Sushenkumar Tewari. The family further alleged that he had not been paid his promised monthly salary of Rs 20,000 and had complained about this to his wife, Kunti Kumar, and other family members.
He is survived by his wife and two sons, one of whom has recently passed his secondary examinations, while the other is in Class IX.
Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the Trinamul Congress, has extended support to the bereaved family. On his initiative, steps have been taken to expedite the return of the body to Purulia. He has also assured the family of all necessary assistance, including legal support.
Purulia district Trinamul Trade Union Congress president Ujjwal Kumar said efforts to bring back the body were initially delayed due to lack of police cooperation, but progressed after intervention from Mr Banerjee’s office.
Purulia district Trinamul president and Bandwan MLA Rajib Lochan Soren alleged that migrant workers from Bengal were frequently dying under suspicious circumstances in other states and said the party stood by the family.
Earlier this month, another migrant worker from Purulia, Sukhena Mahato, was allegedly murdered in Pune, triggering political controversy in the state.