Journalist Pulak's family receives Tk 10 lakh in dues three days after his death

The authorities of Dainik Samakal have handed over Tk 10 lakh in outstanding dues to the family of the late journalist Pulak Chatterjee, former Barishal bureau chief of the daily. The money was deposited into the bank account of Pulak's wife, Priyanka Chatterjee, on Monday, September 14. Current Barishal bureau chief of Dainik Samakal, Sumon Chowdhury, confirmed the matter.

Earlier, on Friday evening, September 11, police recovered the body of the 57-year-old journalist hanging inside the Samakal office on Parara Road in Barishal city.

According to family and office sources, Pulak Chatterjee was released from Samakal in May 2023. He was unemployed after that. Relatives said he was in deep mental anguish after losing his job.

Before his death, Pulak left behind five notes. In one of the notes, he had requested his long-time colleague Sumon Chowdhury to recover the money owed to him, which was being held at the Samakal office, and hand it over to his family. Three days after his death, the Samakal authorities delivered that Tk 10 lakh in dues to the family.

Pulak Chatterjee had at one time served as the general secretary of the Barishal Press Club. Over a long career in journalism, he was active in the media scene in Barishal. He is survived by his wife, Priyanka Chatterjee, and his only daughter, Prokriti.

In a note written for his wife and daughter, Pulak had asked for forgiveness, writing, "Forgive me. Nothing in this world stops for anyone." The family said he had also urged his younger brother, Dipak Chatterjee, to take care of his wife and child.

Meanwhile, police initially believe the incident was a suicide. However, Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Al Mamun Ul Islam said details about the death would be known after verifying the authenticity of the recovered notes and receiving the post-mortem report.