Prashant Bose, a top leader and Politburo member of the banned CPI (Maoist), died on Friday morning at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi after his health suddenly deteriorated. He was over 80 years old.
Bose, also known as ‘Kishan Da’, was lodged in Saraikela jail following his arrest in 2021. According to jail authorities, his condition worsened early Friday morning around 6 am., when he developed severe breathing difficulties.
He was immediately shifted under tight security to RIMS, where a team of doctors monitored his condition. However, his health did not improve, and he was declared dead at around 10 am.
Given the sensitivity of the case, the administration has appointed a magistrate and initiated all necessary legal procedures. The body has been sent for post-mortem.
Prashant Bose was considered one of the most influential leaders in the Maoist hierarchy, second only to the organization’s general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao.
A member of the central committee and Politburo, he also played a key role in the Eastern Regional Bureau. Originally from West Bengal, he was also known by aliases such as ‘Manish’ and ‘Budha’ within Maoist circles.
Bose was arrested on November 12, 2021, near Kadra Toll Bridge in Saraikela-Kharsawan district along with his wife Sheela Marandi. At the time of his arrest, he carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore.
Security agencies had described him as the mastermind behind more than 200 Maoist-related incidents across several states, including Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Having remained active in the Maoist movement for nearly four decades, Bose was often regarded as the “think tank” of the organization. Since his arrest, he had been in judicial custody and was suffering from multiple age-related ailments.
Following his death, security forces and police have been put on high alert. Further legal formalities are being carried out after the post-mortem examination.
Also read: Two killed in wild elephant attacks in Jharkhand
Follow us
