Purnea: Three members of a JD(U) leader’s family were found dead under suspicious circumstances in Bihar’s Purnia district on Tuesday evening, just days before the first phase of the state’s assembly elections. Police have confirmed the presence of injuries on two of the bodies, raising doubts about the family’s initial claim of an accidental fall on the stairs.
The victims were identified as Naveen Kushwaha, 52, a businessman and elder brother of JD(U) leader Niranjan Kushwaha, his wife Kanchan Mala Singh, 48, and their 23-year-old daughter, Tanu Priya. Naveen had contested the 2009 Lok Sabha election from Purnia on a BSP ticket. The incident took place in the European Colony under the K-Hat police station area.
According to Niranjan Kushwaha, the deaths occurred after a series of domestic accidents. He said his niece, Tanu Priya, an MBBS student reportedly suffering from anxiety for several years, slipped while descending the stairs. Naveen, who attempted to save her, also fell, he claimed. Their mother, Kanchan Mala, allegedly went into shock after witnessing the incident and died of a heart attack.
The family said the three were immediately taken to Galaxy Hospital in Line Bazaar, where doctors declared them dead on arrival. A nephew, Sintu, said he found the three lying unconscious inside the house before rushing them to the hospital. “We do not suspect anyone,” he told reporters.
However, medical staff and police statements indicate inconsistencies. A doctor at the hospital said the sequence of deaths did not appear “natural”, noting that the father, mother and daughter were brought in separately over a period of time before dying one after another.
Purnia superintendent of police Sweety Sehrawat confirmed finding injuries. “Naveen Kushwaha had a ligature mark on his neck. His daughter had a head injury. There were no external injuries on Kanchan Mala, who was reportedly unwell. All three bodies have been sent for postmortem,” she said. The SP added that forensic evidence had been collected from the house and videographed autopsies would be conducted at GMCH.
The incident triggered political reactions as leaders rushed to the hospital. Independent MP Pappu Yadav, JD(U) candidate Lesy Singh, Sadar MLA Vijay Kumar Khemka and several RJD leaders visited the site and met the family.
After examining the bodies, Pappu Yadav questioned the family’s explanation. “These do not look like natural deaths. Three people cannot die together in this manner. No suicide, shooting or poisoning has been mentioned, yet two bodies show injury marks. This must be investigated thoroughly,” he said.
