57-year-old academic professional Samantak Das who served as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Jadavpur University has been found dead at his house.
Details of the Incident Involving the Jadavpur University Academician
The body of the renowned academician was discovered by his family members at 2:30 PM on Wednesday. The varsity sent a car to pick Das up after he did not attend the university campus in the morning leading to his family members knocking on his closed door. His domestic help knocked on the door at around 1:30 PM but hearing no response sought help. Alerted as they did not get a response, the family members were forced to break open the door to find his body hanging from the ceiling.
It was found hanging from the ceiling in his Ranikuthi residence with white cloth karate or martial arts belt tied around his neck at around 2:30 PM. Soon after the discovery, he was rushed to a nearby state-run MR Bangur hospital. He was declared dead on arrival by the doctors of the hospital.
Police Reports and Statements
According to statements released by an official of Regent Park’s Police Station, the body of the reputed academician, Samantak Das has been sent for post-mortem tests and magisterial examinations. Investigation of the suicide is underway as no suicide note has been found by the officials yet. However, prima facie no signs or hints of foul play have been detected. The police have confirmed that his 80-year-old mother was in the other room during this incident but had no idea.
New reports state that Samantak Das’s wife passed away a few years back. Her death was also caused as a result of suicide.
Samantak Das: Beloved Professor Of Jadavpur University
One of the most beloved and popular teachers of India’s topmost Jadavpur University, Samantak Das, previously a student of Jadavpur University returned there as a teacher who initially taught in the Comparative Literature Department heading it from 2007 to 2009. He joined as an academician in the department in 2005. He also headed and was the director of the School of Cultural Text and Records.
During his student days, Samantak joined Jadavpur in 1984 for a degree in English and graduated in 1987. He completed his Post-Graduate Diploma in 1990. Previously, he taught English and Modern European Languages at the Viswa Bharatiya University also in West Bengal.
Samantak Das was currently the Pro Vice Chancellor of Jadavpur University. His tenure was scheduled to end this year in September.
Students and Teachers Mourn the Death of Their Beloved Professor
The faculty and students had all gathered on the campus to mourn the academician and professor’s untimely death as the University remained closed on Thursday morning.
Vice-Chancellor Suranjan Das told the Press Trust of India about the immense loss incurred by the students and faculty of Jadavpur University. Calling Das the ‘prominent face of varsity’ he talked about how Samantak Das had made him feel comfortable when he first became the Vice Chancellor in 2015. He spoke about how the void created by Samantak’s death would be impossible to fill.
The current Head of the Department of Comparative Literature, Sujit Kumar Mandal spoke about the tireless contributions of Professor Samantak Das to the upliftment of rural women, especially in Birbhum, Burdwan, and Sundarbans.
The Art Faculty Students Union (AFSU) released a statement expressing their sorrow at the loss of their favorite. They were absolutely heartbroken at the untimely death of their professor and said that he would continue to rest in their hearts. Partha Pratim Roy, the President of the Jadavpur University (JU) Teachers Association said that all the professors are shocked and shattered by the surprising news.
