Assam: Public outrage erupts in Athiyabari after youth's suicide linked to alleged loan fraud

Tension gripped Athiyabari in Assam’s Baksa district after a young man, Dipankar Das, reportedly died by suicide following a distressing chain of events involving a suspected case of loan fraud and police interrogation.

According to reports, Dipankar's brother, Anjan Das, had opened an account at Bandhan Bank in Nalbari about a year ago with assistance from a man named Kankan Das, a resident of Simla in Baksa. Kankan allegedly introduced himself as an employee of the bank and promised that Anjan would receive a loan if he opened an account.

Trusting Kankan’s claims, Anjan Das regularly carried out transactions, hoping to receive the promised loan. However, two months ago, he was abruptly informed that the loan would not be sanctioned.

Matters escalated on May 6, when a police team from Rajasthan, accompanied by local police, visited Anjan Das's residence. The team interrogated him in connection with an alleged fraud involving the misappropriation of several lakhs of rupees from Bandhan Bank — a loan that Anjan insists he never received.

The Rajasthan police reportedly instructed Anjan to appear with supporting documents on May 25. Sources say the sudden police action and public humiliation deeply affected the family.

Subsequently, Dipankar Das, Anjan’s brother, allegedly died by suicide — a development that has sparked widespread anger among locals.

In protest, over a hundred residents, including women and elderly citizens, gathered at the Athiyabari Police Outpost, demanding a thorough investigation and justice for Dipankar’s death. The protesters also called for strict action against Kankan Das, accusing him of impersonating a bank employee and misleading Anjan.

Police officials have acknowledged the complaint, and an investigation is reportedly underway.