Migrant worker Alauddin Sheikh whose unnatural death in Jharkhand last week had triggered violent protests in West Bengal’s Beldanga had “died by suicide”. The post-mortem report of the deceased migrant worker as well as investigation by Murshidabad police had ruled out murder or any foul play.

No murder conspiracy

After the death, a sub-inspector of Murshidabad police went to Palamau, Jharkhand, to inquire into the death of Sheikh. “Statements of 8-10 Bengali migrant labourers residing in the area were also recorded. However, they did not point out any conspiracy of murder,” the Murshidabad district police said in a statement on Saturday (January 24, 2026).

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The police also added that it recorded the statement of Kasim Shaikh, who had brought down the body from the ceiling fan in Jharkhand. He also did not make a statement indicating murder or foul play. The post-mortem report also added that the cause of death was “ante-mortem hanging. No antemortem injuries. No abrasions, bruises, fractures or signs of assault”.