Left his sick mother to serve Bengal polls: Deputy magistrate dies on duty in Domkal
A tragic incident unfolded in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district amid the ongoing election preparations, as a deputy magistrate died after suddenly falling ill while on poll duty in Domkal on Saturday.
The deceased has been identified as Pradip Mondal (44), a WBCS (Executive) officer who was posted as a deputy magistrate at the Domkal Sub-Divisional Officer’s (SDO) office.
He had been assigned several key responsibilities linked to the upcoming Assembly elections, making his sudden demise all the more shocking for the administration.
According to official sources, Mondal, a resident of Gosaba, had recently been under considerable personal and professional strain.
His mother had fallen seriously ill, prompting him to visit home a few days ago. He had also begun construction of a new house in Sonarpur.
Despite these pressures, he returned to Domkal on Friday and resumed his election duties.
He was staying at the SDO’s guest house during his assignment. Sources said he had complained of mild discomfort on Friday night but chose not to inform colleagues or seek medical help at the time.
His condition worsened significantly on Saturday morning, after which he alerted the caretaker at the guest house.
Colleagues rushed him to the Domkal Super Speciality Hospital, where doctors conducted an ECG and confirmed that he had suffered a cardiac episode.
Following initial stabilisation, arrangements were made to shift him to a private hospital in Berhampore for advanced treatment. However, while being transported, Mondal’s condition deteriorated sharply near Daulatabad, and he lost consciousness.
In a desperate attempt to save him, his colleagues diverted to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital in Berhampore. Doctors there declared him brought dead.
Sources further revealed that Mondal had underlying health issues, including hypertension and diabetes, which may have contributed to the fatal cardiac event.
The sudden death of an officer actively engaged in election duty has sent shockwaves through the administrative machinery. Colleagues described him as a dedicated officer, deeply involved in the poll process.
Authorities have informed his family, and a pall of grief now hangs over the administration as Bengal heads into a crucial electoral phase.