Sourav Ganguly and wife receive death threat in Kolkata; family files complaint at Thakurpukur Police Station
Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and his wife, Dona Ganguly, received a death threat in Kolkata on Monday when a threatening letter was opened at the office of the Bengal cricket president, and the family filed a formal written complaint at Thakurpukur Police Station. The state government’s security department has been alerted and asked to take immediate steps.
The complaint was submitted by the Ganguly family and the former captain’s personal assistant after a string of notes to the family prompted concern. Family sources told police such letters have been arriving for the past six months and were initially dismissed as messages from overzealous fans, but the latest communication featured more aggressive language and led the family to seek police intervention.
The most recent letter was written entirely in English and, according to the complaint, contained explicit threats to "eliminate" or "finish" Mr. Ganguly and his family. The packet that carried the letter was opened at the Bengal cricket president’s office, which triggered the decision to register a formal complaint.
"The nature of the threats contained in the letters has caused serious concern among us. Since the letters have now escalated from hate/derogatory communication to explicit threats to life and personal safety, we believe that the matter requires immediate police intervention and investigation," read the statement on the complaint. "In view of the seriousness of the matter, I request you to kindly take necessary action, register and investigate the complaint, identify the person responsible for sending these threatening letters, and take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of Mr. Sourav Ganguly, Mrs. Dona Ganguly and the staff working with them."
A preliminary probe indicates the letters were sent by courier to the Ganguly residence with the sender’s name on the packet given as Arun Kumar, a Belgharia resident. Investigators traced a phone number mentioned in the letter and a Truecaller search returned the same name; police are examining whether the real Arun Kumar sent the items or if his identity was misused by a third party.
Police officials told Ganguly’s personal assistant: "We have started an investigation and are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Mr. Ganguly and his family." Separately, the state security department is reviewing the threat and assessing whether additional cover is required.
The complaint at Thakurpukur Police Station has prompted an active police investigation and a security review by the state government, with authorities now working to identify the sender and determine any immediate protective measures for the Ganguly family.
