Purnima Kandu, Congress councillor and widow of murdered Tapan Kandu, found dead at home

Purnima Kandu, a 42-year-old Congress councillor from Jhalda, was found dead in her home at night. Her children discovered her unconscious upon returning home and immediately alerted neighbors for help. Despite being rushed to the Jhalda 1 Block Health Centre, doctors pronounced her dead on arrival, leading to mounting suspicions regarding the circumstances surrounding her sudden death.

Purnima was the widow of Tapan Kandu, who was tragically shot dead in March 2022 while taking an evening walk in Gokulnagar, Jhalda, following the civic polls. Tapan's murder sent shockwaves through the community, leading to a high-profile investigation by the CBI. The case has seen multiple arrests, including Tapan's nephew, Deepak Kandu, who was the Trinamool Congress candidate opposing Tapan in the elections, and others allegedly involved in the crime. The investigation has yet to yield a final resolution, adding to the local unrest and speculation.

After Tapan's death, Purnima stepped into the political arena, serving as a councillor from ward number 12 and briefly holding the position of deputy mayor. Her political tenure was fraught with challenges; last year, the Congress party lost its majority in the Jhalda municipal corporation after five corporators defected to the Trinamool Congress, prompting Purnima to resign from her deputy mayor role.

The circumstances of Purnima's sudden death have sparked concern and speculation among local party members and the community. Congress district president Nepal Mahto visited the health center shortly after her death and confirmed that she was brought in already deceased. He stated that the cause of her death would be determined following an autopsy, which is crucial to clarifying the situation.