Jadavpur University Professor Found Dead in Uttarakhand Hotel Room, Deep Cuts on Neck and Wrists

Dehrun: A 44-year-old associate professor of philosophy at Javpur University (JU) in Kolkata, was found de in a hotel room in Uttarakhand, sparking shock and grief among his family, students, and colleagues. His body was discovered in bathroom of his hotel room in Lalkuan on Saturday (vember 9), with deep cuts on his neck and wrists. Police reports suggest he may have died by suicide, although a postmortem report is pending.

Mainak Pal, a resident of Bonhooghly area of rth Kolkata, h traveled with two friends to visit religious sites in Almora. He reportedly decided to return to Kolkata early, telling his friends he missed his daughter. He checked into Lalkuan hotel, planning to take Bagh Express home following morning. When his family was unable to reach him by phone on Friday evening, y alerted hotel staff, who broke open his room door with a carpenter’s help and found him.

A respected acemic, Pal was an alumnus of Presidency College, Kolkata, and began his teaching career in 2009 with West Bengal Education Service (WBES). He held positions at Jhargram Raj College and Government General Degree College in Mejia before joining Presidency University in 2015, where he served for nearly seven years. He joined Javpur University as an associate professor in May 2022.

Colleagues and students at JU expressed ir sness over Pal’s passing. Javpur University Teachers' Association highlighted his impact as a teacher, with general secretary Partha Pratim Roy stating, "We are in deep shock since we heard about his death... Pal was a lovable person and popular among students and fraternity. entire JU family is shell-shocked."

Pal’s body was returned to Kolkata by ro on Sunday and has been handed over to his family.