{
  "id": 7258666,
  "title": "Body of Bengal BJP worker exhumed in Sandeshkhali five years after death in post-poll violence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/body-of-bengal-bjp-worker-exhumed-in-sandeshkhali-five-years-after",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T06:29:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/body-of-bengal-bjp-worker-exhumed-in-sandeshkhali-five-years-after-death-in-post-poll-violence/article71465483.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The skeletal remains of a BJP worker, Astik Chandra Das, who was allegedly killed in post-poll violence in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal in 2021, have been exhumed following a court order. Das, from Jhanjhaniya village, was reportedly assaulted by Trinamool Congress supporters during the celebration of the 2021 Assembly election results. His family claims that the assault caused severe injuries and they were denied medical treatment, leading to his death at home. The family also alleges that police prevented them from taking the body for a post-mortem and forced them to bury it without one. After a change in state administration, the family lodged a fresh complaint, leading to the court's order for exhumation. The remains were unearthed on September 13, 2026, in the presence of a magistrate and the family. The remains have since been sent for post-mortem and forensic examination to ascertain the cause of death. The family is seeking a thorough inquiry by the CBI and stringent action against the perpetrators. BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya condemned the incident, stating that it highlights the atrocities suffered by BJP workers post the 2021 elections and vowed justice would prevail. Sandeshkhali gained national attention in 2024 due to allegations of sexual abuse against local TMC strongman Shajahan Shiekh.",
  "summary": "It has been alleged that Astik Chandra Das of Jhanjhaniya village was assaulted by Trinamool Congress supporters out on a victory procession on the day the 2021 Assembly election results were declared",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}