RANCHI — Prashant Bose, the prominent Politburo member of the banned CPI-Maoist popularly known as ‘Kishan Da’, died early Friday morning at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). The 80-year-old leader, who once carried a reward of ₹1 crore on his head, passed away following a sharp decline in his health while in judicial custody.
Final Moments and Medical Emergency
Currently lodged in Seraikela Jail, Bose complained of severe breathing difficulties at dawn on Friday. Authorities rushed him under heavy security to RIMS around 6 a.m., where a specialized medical team initiated emergency treatment. Despite their efforts, doctors declared him dead at approximately 10 a.m.
Given Bose’s high-profile status, the administration has deputed a magistrate to oversee the post-mortem examination and ensure all legal protocols are strictly followed.
The Architect of the Maoist Movement
A native of West Bengal, Bose functioned for decades as the primary ideologue and strategist for the Maoist insurgency. Within the hierarchy, security agencies ranked him second only to General Secretary Nambala Keshav Rao. His influence spanned multiple roles:
-
Core Leadership: He served as a key member of the Central Committee and the Politburo.
-
Regional Command: He acted as the Secretary of the Eastern Regional Bureau.
-
Aliases: Followers and law enforcement knew him by several names, including ‘Manish’ and ‘Buddha’.
Arrest and Criminal Record
Police finally captured Bose and his wife, Sheela Marandi, on November 12, 2021, near the Kandra Toll Bridge in the Seraikela-Kharsawan district. Before his arrest, security agencies linked him to more than 200 Maoist-related incidents across seven states, including Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.
Experts considered him the “think tank” of the movement, responsible for shaping the outfit’s long-term political and military strategies over nearly forty years.
Security Aftermath
Since his 2021 arrest, Bose had remained in judicial custody while battling various age-related ailments. Following the news of his death, Jharkhand police have heightened security across the region to prevent any retaliatory unrest. Authorities are currently completing the final legal formalities before releasing the body.
