TMC chief Mamata Banerjee's niece found dead at her residence in West Bengal's Birbhum, say police | India News - Hindustan Times

**Birbhum, West Bengal –** Police on Saturday confirmed that Bristy Mukherjee, the niece of Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee, was found dead inside her family home in the Birbhum district. The body was discovered by relatives early on Sunday morning, and a preliminary post‑mortem report indicated that the death was self‑inflicted. Senior police officials said the investigation has not uncovered any signs of foul play, and the case is being treated as a suicide pending a full forensic examination.

Bristy, 26, had been employed as a primary school teacher until she was suspended last month following a statewide probe into irregularities in teacher recruitment. The probe, launched by the West Bengal School Service Commission, has led to the dismissal of several candidates and heightened scrutiny of the hiring process. Sources close to the family said Bristy had expressed distress over the loss of her job and the accompanying public scrutiny, but her relatives declined to comment on her mental state.

The TMC, while extending condolences to the bereaved family, refrained from speculating on the circumstances surrounding the death. In a brief statement, the party described Bristy’s passing as “a tragic loss” and urged the authorities to complete the investigation swiftly. Opposition parties called for a transparent probe, citing the broader controversy over the teacher‑recruitment scandal. The incident has added a somber note to the ongoing political turbulence in the state, where the ruling party is grappling with both internal and external pressures.