Audit Officer Yogendra Pandey arrested in connection with Kuldeep's unnatural death, candle march in Silchar today seeking justice

On the morning of 7th January, 2023, cleaners, guards and staff of SBI Kabuganj branch found the hanging body of their Branch Manager Kuldeep Dasgupta in the bank’s record room. His body was hanged with a rope tied around his neck. Strangely his legs were also tied with a rope.

Yesterday Kuldeep’s mother lodged an FIR in Sonai Police Station regarding her son’s mysterious death. In the FIR, Kuldeep’s mother Aloka Dasgupta alleged that that the activities of two persons created difficulties and pressure in discharging of his duties as he was unauthorisedly and illegally pressurised by them. She strongly suspected that those two people named Yogendra Pandey (Audit Officer, SBI) and Shibu Nath (sub staff of SBI Kabuganj Branch) either killed her son to hide their misdeeds or abetted him to commit suicide.

Acting on the FIR of Aloka Dasgupta, Cachar Police detained Yogendra Pandey for interrogation. He was escorted to Silchar Sadar Police Station and interrogated the entire night there.

Today Cachar Police arrested Audit Officer Yogendra Pandey as after primary investigation, prima facie it appeared that he abetted Kuldeep to commit suicide. Speaking to reporters Cachar SP said “We are taking the statements of others and will interrogate them if required as per the law. But after primary investigation, prima facia the crime of Yogendra Pandey has been established and so we have arrested him. He created such a situation which forced Kuldeep to commit suicide. He was staying in Barak Valley for more than a week along with his family. He conducted audits in the nearby districts of Barak Valley. At the time of conducting audit in Kabuganj Branch, Kuldeep committed suicide. Pandey has deleted some data from his mobile phone and we are currently trying to retrieve it. We have received complaints from various Branch Managers of SBI in Barak Valley that
Pandey asked for illegal gratification from them. The auditor also asked Kuldeep to buy him ticket for the ODI match between India and Srilanka to be held in Guwahati tommorow as well as other favours. After further investigation if others are found involved in the incident we will bring them under the ambit of law as well.”

While asked by some reporters, Yogendra Pandey denied all the allegations raised against him.

A candle march has been organised today at 6 pm by employees and retired employees of SBI seeking justice for Kuldeep Dasgupta. The candle march will start from Narsingtola and end at Gandhibhag via Central Road.