Neighbours in front of the Basak residence. Picture by Biplab Basak

Jalpaiguri, July 22: Investigations into the death of 23-year-old Gautam Basak, who hanged himself on Tuesday night, took a new turn today after a suicide note was found in his room.

The note held a family of four brothers — Nitai alias Pijush, Pradip, Nimai, Nupur — and their father Prangopal responsible for his death. The mention of two constables of the Kotwali police station, Pijush and Pradip, in the suicide note has triggered tension in the area.

The two-page note in Bengali stated that whenever they met him, the Goswamis would often humiliate him. According to the neighbours, the family would often accuse the youth of having an illicit relationship with his cousin.

Gautam was a resident of Anandapara in Jalpaiguri. Acco- rding to residents of the area, the relationship between the Basaks and the Goswamis were not cordial. The problem aggravated on the day Gautam’s parents left for Calcutta.

“Three rickshaws were par- ked on the by-lane in front of the Basak household to take Gautam’s parents to the station. For no reason at all, the Goswamis started abusing Gautam and his father,” a neighbour said.

Gautam had complained to Kamal Das, the ward commissioner, against the Goswamis on July 17. “He told me that the Goswamis abused him and that he was worried since his parents were not in town. I had promised to look into the matter, but never dreamt that he would commit suicide,” said Das.

The next day, Gautam had filed a complaint against the Goswamis with the Kotwali police stating that “he felt insecure”. Neighbours said the police had not taken any action. “Every member of the Goswami household is responsible for Gautam’s death. Earlier, too, they had tried to tarnish the image of other people by spreading rumours,” the neighbours said.

As news of the suicide note trickled out, the Goswami brothers and their father fled the area. Pranati Goswami, mother of the accused brothers, said over phone: “My sons are not responsible for Gautam’s death. They fled because they have been named in the note.”

Ajay Nand, the district superintendent of police, said Gautam’s parents, who reached Anandapara this evening, have been called for interrogation. “We are aware that two police constables have been named in the suicide note. We need to match the handwriting, too,” said Nand.