Latest news with #Mukhopadhyay
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
A cold case, a TMC leader's film debut, and a burning question: What happened to Manisha Mukhopadhyay?
It is one of the most famous cold cases in West Bengal. One fine day in early September 1997, senior Calcutta University (CU) official Manisha Mukhopadhyay disappeared without a trace, leaving behind an elderly mother who believed her daughter's disappearance was linked to her proximity to Left Front bigwigs at the time and never gave up looking for her. Now, over a quarter of a century later, the story of Mukherjee's disappearance is set to come to the big screen in director Arindam Sil's next film Karpoor (Camphor) starring Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders Kunal Ghosh and Bratya Basu, a state minister. While people involved in the film said Ghosh's character was loosely based on then CPI(M) state secretary Anil Biswas, one of the most powerful leaders at the time, Ghosh told The Indian Express, 'It is based on a political thriller. I am acting as the state secretary of a political party. But that doesn't mean that I am playing Anil Biswas. This is my debut film, and I asked Arindam to tutor me in the art of acting.' Mukhopadhyay was the assistant controller of examinations at Calcutta University, and this resulted in her proximity to frontline CPI(M) leaders at the time. According to her mother Chinu, who later moved court alleging that her daughter had been murdered, the CU official knew many secrets, and this was the reason for her disappearance. According to reports at the time, on the day of her disappearance, Mukhopadhyay was on her way from the city's Bhowanipore area to visit her parents in south Kolkata and got into a cab with her husband and nephew. After her husband alighted from the cab on the way, the CU official and her nephew continued on their way, but a few yards down the road, Mukhopadhyay told her nephew to get down from the taxi. He initially refused but eventually got down near the city's Golpark area, and the taxi sped away. That was the last time anyone saw Mukhopadhyay. The police struggled to make much headway, and the investigation subsequently stalled. Two years later, after Chinu Mukhopadhyay found some photographs among her daughter's belongings, the police again reopened the case. This time, the police received several reports of Mukhopadhyay being sighted, from an ashram in Purulia to Bodh Gaya to Assam. But no solid lead materialised, leaving the probe faltering again. Before entering politics, Ghosh was a political reporter and editor and, according to people in the TMC, used to be close to Anil Biswas. 'Kunal da was very close to many CPI(M) leaders, including Anil Biswas, and he saw Biswas closely. So, he is an ideal choice for the role,' said a senior TMC leader. Bratya Basu, the state education minister, will play a detective who investigates the case.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Film with TMC netas to tell story of Calcutta University official Manisha Mukhopadhyay, who vanished like 'karpoor' in CPM era
KOLKATA: One of Bengal's enduring "political" mysteries - the 1997 disappearance of a senior Calcutta University official believed to have been close to seniors in the erstwhile Left Front regime - is going to come alive on silver screen, with several senior netas from other side of the political spectrum playing pivotal roles. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The storyline of the film 'Karpoor (Camphor)' revolves around the sudden disappearance of CU assistant controller of examinations Manisha Mukhopadhyay in Sept 1997. She left behind an elderly mother, who kept looking for her before giving up. Mukhopadhyay's appointment to a key post in the state's biggest university, her "proximity" to frontline CPM netas some of whom survive till this day and her sudden disappearance - just like camphor (karpoor in Bengali) - came to be seen in academic and political circles as representing the total politicisation of the education sys-tem under the LF regime. Politicians - from the party now in office in Bengal - play key roles in the film, adding to the chatter around the film. Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh plays the all-powerful state CPM secretary, Anil Biswas, and state education minister Bratya Basu enacts the role of a former homicide section officer-in-charge posted at Lalbazar, the Kolkata Police headquarters. "The movie bears a resemblance with an interesting case. The retired police officer recounts how he probed the case and the obstacles he faced," Basu said about his role. Actor Saheb Chattopadhyay plays a character having "shades of" current LF chairman Biman Bose but TMC spokesperson Ghosh's performance as the soft-spoken, mild-mannered Biswas - credited for CPM's durability and its all-steamrolling "party machinery" - may be the most keenly watched. Ghosh has often expressed his admiration for Biswas's political acumen. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Crime thriller rooted in real political event' Different theories floated around Mukhopadhyay's disappearance with occasional reports of her being spotted in Nepal, Goa, and a temple near Purulia's Ayodhya Hills. The movie, based on Dipanwita Roy's novel 'Antardhaner Nepathye (Behind the Disappearance)', will trace the circumstances behind her disappearance and the probe," director Arindam Sil said. Eight months of research, involving documents, court papers and interviews, led Sil to believe the CU official left "the trail of a scam involving incredible amounts of cash". Bundles of mark sheets were allegedly found at her home. A CPM veteran flagged her disappearance in 1997, the case was reopened in 1999, but then closed for lack of evidence amid allegations that some CPM seniors had "blocked the probe". "This is the time for idea- and concept-driven movies and this subject has several layers and unanswered questions," said producer Firdausul Hasan. "The Bengali audience's tastes have evolved with exposure to international films and diverse content, and 'Karpoor' - being a crime thriller rooted in a real political event - fits the bill. Our approach will not sensationalize the subject. It will offer viewers a layered exploration of social, political and psychological complexities. " CPM leaders differ. "It is a political ploy to tarnish the party's image. The case was shut long ago and the allegations were found to be baseless. Trinamool leaders should focus more on the current flaws in the system rather than dig up the past," said CPM veteran Rabin Deb.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tata Sons' top official gets clean chit for link with Rs 90-crore family firm
The Tata Sons board has cleared company secretary Suprakash Mukhopadhyay of any violation of the Tata code of conduct . This decision was taken on Thursday after the board reviewed an internal report on his involvement with Divinion , a financial services firm owned by his family. Sources familiar with the matter told The Times of India that the directors looked at the report in detail and accepted its findings. The report said that while Mukhopadhyay did not make the necessary disclosures to the right authority within Tata Sons, he had not intentionally broken the rules. Mukhopadhyay had come under scrutiny for either helping or trying to raise money from current and former Tata employees, as well as other people connected to Tata Sons. Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran had ordered the internal investigation after concerns were raised about a possible conflict of interest between Mukhopadhyay's connection to Divinion Advisory Services and his duties within the group. 'The board extensively discussed the report and ultimately gave Mukhopadhyay a clean chit,' sources told ToI. As per the Tata code of conduct, a conflict of interest happens when an employee gains unfair benefits for themselves or family members. If such a situation is not disclosed and later found out by management, it can result in disciplinary action. In the case of listed companies, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) can also impose penalties for failing to disclose such matters. Some Tata executives told those writing the report that they had invested in Divinion after being approached by Mukhopadhyay's daughter through her father, ToI had reported. They said they were not aware of his link to the firm. The full report was shared with all Tata Sons board members. Live Events On Wednesday, the Tata Trusts board — which is the parent organisation of Tata Sons — had also discussed the report. It suggested that its nominated directors should take actions that are correct and fair. Divinion was set up in December 2020 and manages assets worth more than Rs 90 crore. The company is owned equally by Mukhopadhyay's wife and two daughters, each holding a 33.3% share. Divinion sponsors the Divinion Alternative India Fund (DAIF), which has launched a scheme named Divinion Dynamic Fund. The team running Divinion includes people who have worked in the Tata Group in the past or have long-standing links with it. Former TCS CFO S Mahalingam is one of Divinion's directors. Its CEO is Hormuz Bulsara, who used to be COO at Tata Asset Management. Chartered accountant T P Ostwal, whose firm has worked with Tata entities for years, is also on Divinion's board. His firm audited Divinion in FY21, and Tata Sons in FY23 and FY24. Another firm, KBJ & Associates, which audited Divinion for FY22 to FY24, also worked with some TCS subsidiaries in FY24. The Tata Sons board also reviewed the company's Q4 FY25 financial results at the same meeting. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tata Sons board gives senior executive clean chit over link with family co
MUMBAI: The board has exonerated company secretary Suprakash Mukhopadhyay of any breach of the Tata code of conduct. This comes after the board, on Thursday, reviewed an internal investigation report regarding his involvement and connection with Divinion, a financial services company owned by his family. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The directors reviewed and accepted the report, which concluded Mukhopadhyay did not intentionally violate the code of conduct despite failing to make necessary disclosures to the appropriate authority within Tata Sons, sources familiar with the matter said. Mukhopadhyay faced scrutiny for facilitating or seeking investments from present and past Tata employees, and external parties associated with Tata Sons. , chairman of Tata Sons, had commissioned the report after concerns were raised about potential conflict of interest between Mukhopadhyay's connection to Divinion Advisory Services and his role within the group. "The board extensively discussed the report and ultimately gave Mukhopadhyay a clean chit," sources said. On Wednesday, the board of Tata Trusts, the parent of Tata Sons, also deliberated on the report and recommended that its nominated directors act in accordance with what is right. Divinion, established in Dec 2020, manages assets worth more than Rs 90 crore. Mukhopadhyay's wife and two daughters own 33.3% each in Divinion, which sponsors the Divinion Alternative India Fund. DAIF had launched a scheme called Divinion Dynamic Fund. The financial services firm's management team and board members include former employees and affiliated professionals. Former TCS CFO S Mahalingam serves as a director of Divinion, while former Tata Asset Management COO Hormuz Bulsara is the CEO. CA T P Ostwal, whose firm has had a long association with Tata entities, also sits on Divinion's board. His firm audited Divinion in FY21 and Tata Sons in FY23 and FY24. KBJ & Associates, Divinion's auditor for FY22-FY24, worked with some TCS subsidiaries in FY24. The Tata Sons board also reviewed the company's Q4 FY25 financial results, among other matters.
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Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Tata Sons board accepts internal panel report on company secretary
Tata Sons Ltd.'s board today reviewed and accepted the findings of a three-member internal panel, which concluded that Company Secretary Suprakash Mukhopadhyay did not wilfully breach the group's code of conduct, nor did he seek personal gain at the company's expense, according to people familiar with the matter. Mukhopadhyay came under scrutiny for allegedly encouraging a former colleague to join or invest in Divinion Advisory, a wealth management firm linked to his wife and daughter. The firm includes several former Tata employees and is associated with professionals such as chartered accountant T. P. Ostwal, whose firm has previously worked with Tata Sons. Divinion's auditors have also served subsidiaries of Tata Consultancy Services. As per media reports, Mukhopadhyay had approached a few Tata officials to invest in the company. Following these allegations, Tata Sons constituted a committee to investigate the matter. The panel concluded that Mukhopadhyay, a Tata group veteran, did breach the Tata group's Code of Conduct, but that the violation was neither intentional nor aimed at making personal gains at the company's expense. Mukhopadhyay, who retired in November 2024, continues to serve on an extension. The report was discussed in detail at the board meeting today, and the panel's findings were accepted. The board also reviewed Tata Sons' financial results for the year ended March 2025, according to people familiar with the matter. Additionally, it was briefed on the upcoming initial public offering (IPO) of Tata Capital Ltd., its financial services subsidiary, which is scheduled for later this year. The meeting also covered Tata Sons' investment in the rights issue of Tata Projects Ltd., and included performance updates on key group companies, including Air India, Tata Digital, and other unlisted units.
