Police probe murder angle in death of Central Bank branch manager

GANGTOK, 16 Aug: The death of Biplab Das, the branch manager of Central Bank of India at Rhenock, has left many guessing whether it was a suicide or a murder. While initially registered as a suicide, the police are still investigating the death given the peculiar circumstances in which his body was found. In addition, the continuing investigation has also been demanded by employees of the Central Bank of India throughout the state who, as a mark of protest as well as mourning, have been wearing black arm bands at work. The state in which the dead body of Mr. Das was found is what has triggered suspicions of foul-play.
In fact, the General Manager, Central Bank of India in Sikkim had met the Senior SP [East], Dr. MS Tuli regarding this matter and the police has reiterated its commitment to pursue the matter till the very end, informed SSP, MS Tuli. His assurance also led to the calling off of a candle light rally by CBI employees in Gangtok originally scheduled for the evening of 14 August.
The Rhenock branch of the Central Bank was hit by controversy when it surfaced that the business correspondent of the bank there, Roshan Thapa, had fraudulently withdrawn more than Rs. 2 lakh from the account of one Sukhbir Subba, an ex-army man. Roshan Thapa was taken into custody, and the next day came news of the Branch Manager’s ‘alleged’ suicide.
What has led to suspicions of foul play in the death is that the feet of the deceased were tied and there was a cloth stuffed in his mouth when the body was found hanging in his room. Moreover, there was reportedly a small bump on his head with things in the room scattered about as well.
While these may give indications of a possible attack, police also state that it could have been so planned to make it look like a murder.
However, the Sr SP stresses that the police are not taking any chances and will screen the CCTV footage of the bank and is also engaged in examining the call records of the deceased’s mobile phone. Meanwhile, the post mortem report states that the deceased died due to hanging, it is informed.
Senior officials of the Central Bank have reportedly been assured that the investigations are on with the police assuring to look into their doubts.