Former Barishal Press Club general secretary found dead

Journalist Pulak Chatterjee, a former bureau chief of Samakal, was found dead at the newspaper's Barishal bureau office yesterday (11 September) evening.

The 57-year-old journalist was found inside the office on Parara Road around 7pm, police said.

Five handwritten notes were recovered from the scene, including one addressed to the administration, according to police.

The notes were addressed to his wife and daughter, younger brother, a senior office-bearer of the Barishal Press Club, a Samakal colleague and the administration.

Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Al Mamun Ul Islam confirmed the recovery.

Suman Chowdhury, head of Samakal's Barishal office, said Pulak's wife contacted him after failing to reach her husband by phone.

Suman then went to the office and found the entrance locked from inside. Pulak, a former bureau chief, had previously been given a key to the office at his request.

Police later entered the office in the presence of witnesses and recovered the body. It was sent to the mortuary of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

In a note addressed to the administration, Pulak reportedly said no one was responsible for his death and referred to prolonged physical suffering and unsuccessful efforts to recover from illness.

He also requested that his body be handed over to his family without harassment, according to police and people familiar with the contents of the notes.

Another note, addressed to his wife and daughter, contained an apology and urged his daughter to continue her education and music lessons.

The remaining notes contained personal messages for his younger brother, a Barishal Press Club official and long-time colleague Suman Chowdhury.

Pulak had served as bureau chief of both Samakal and Jugantor and was a former general secretary and current executive committee member of the Barishal Press Club.

He lost his job at Samakal in May 2023 and had reportedly been experiencing mental distress since then. Colleagues said he would occasionally visit the newspaper's Barishal office and spend time there.

Barishal Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Sushant Sarker described Pulak said an investigation had begun, adding, "Police entered the office by breaking open the door in the presence of everyone. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide. The matter will be investigated," he said.

A Criminal Investigation Department team also visited the scene and examined the circumstances surrounding the death.