West Bengal doctor couple drowns off Tajpur beach due to strong tide

KOLKATA/DIGHA: While the shock over the recent drowning of actor Rahul Banerjee at Talsari has yet to sink in, another tragedy has struck the coastal belt of East Midnapore. A doctor couple from Sodepur drowned off Tajpur beach, triggering fresh concerns regarding safety at beaches in this region. Their bodies were recovered from the sea near Tajpur on Wednesday night.

The deceased have been identified as Kuntal Chakraborty (32) and Shailaja Bhardwaj (30), residents of the Ghola area in Sodepur.

According to police, locals spotted the two bodies floating near the Biswa Bangla stretch and alerted Mandarmani Coastal Police Station. Officers recovered the bodies and transported them to Balisai Hospital, where they were declared brought dead. An investigation is underway to confirm the cause of death.

Preliminary inquiries suggest the couple travelled to Tajpur by car on Wednesday. After reaching the beach, they entered the water despite high-tide conditions. Reports indicate that Shailaja struggled in the strong current, and Kuntal was swept away while attempting to rescue her.

Kuntal was a surgeon and Shailaja was a gynaecologist. Both were associated with a private hospital in Kolkata and had been married for about two years.

"They left for Tajpur on Wednesday morning. After reaching the beach, they entered the sea. Due to the strong tide, Shailaja began to drown. Kuntal drowned while trying to save his wife," said Rupsa Saha, a relative.

Shocked neighbours described the couple as highly regarded professionals.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of their death. They were known as kind people and excellent doctors. We are unable to come to terms with such a tragic loss," said Krishna Dutta, a neighbour.

Following the news of their death, Kuntal's father and other relatives left for Tajpur on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, two tourists had narrowly escaped drowning at New Digha after being swept away by strong waves; they were rescued by alert lifeguards. These back-to-back incidents have intensified demands for stricter monitoring and improved safety protocols along the Digha-Tajpur coastal stretch.