5 notes found beside journalist Pulak Chatterjee’s body, verification underway

Police have recovered the hanging body of Pulak Chatterjee, 57, former Barishal bureau chief of the daily Samakal. His body was recovered from the newspaper’s bureau office on Pairara Road in the city on Friday evening (September 11).

Five handwritten notes were also recovered beside the body. The notes contain expressions of regret and distress about life. Although police initially described those as “suicide notes,” the authenticity and contents of the notes are still being verified.

Police said one of the recovered notes read: “No one is responsible for my death. I am suffering from several illnesses. I can no longer bear this pain. Because of my illness, I have also fallen behind socially. Unable to endure the suffering caused by my illnesses, I have taken my own life. No one should be harassed because of this.”

Another note was reportedly addressed to Suman Chowdhury, who is currently in charge of the Samakal Barishal bureau office. It read: “I have worked with you for one and a half decades. If I have ever caused you any pain, please forgive me. I am sorry for putting you in an embarrassing situation. If possible, please collect the money I am owed by Samakal and hand it over to your sister-in-law.”

Another note, addressed to his wife Priyanka, read: “Priyanka, please forgive me. Nothing in this world stops for anyone. Take care of Prokriti [Pulak Chatterjee’s daughter] and continue her education. Stay with Dipak [Pulak Chatterjee’s brother]; he will look after and protect you both.”

In another note addressed to his brother Dipak Chatterjee, Pulak wrote: “Forgive me. I am leaving you with a great burden. Please take care of Priyanka [Pulak Chatterjee’s wife] and Prokriti [Pulak Chatterjee’s daughter].”

The final note was addressed to S M Zakir Hossain, general secretary of the Barishal Press Club. It read: “Since I have voluntarily taken my own life, there is no need for an autopsy. Please arrange for my body to be handed over to my family without administrative complications. I have many memories with you. Please take care of my wife Priyanka and Prokriti. Goodbye.”

Barishal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abu Raihan Muhammad Saleh said several pages of notes titled “Suicide Note” were recovered from the scene. He said the death initially appeared to be a case of suicide, but police were verifying all aspects of the incident. A team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was also working on the case. Necessary legal action would be taken after the autopsy, he added.

Meanwhile, family members and colleagues said Pulak had served as the Barishal bureau chief of daily Samakal. He was dismissed from his job in May 2023. Since losing his job, he had been under emotional distress, they said. However, many who knew him said he was not someone they would have expected to take his own life. The incident came as a shock to many.