Top Maoist leader Prashant Bose alias ‘Kishan da’ dies in custody in Ranchi

Senior CPI (Maoist) leader Prashant Bose, also known as ‘Kishan Da’, died on Friday at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi after his health deteriorated. He was over 80.

Bose, who was lodged in Seraikela Jail, reportedly complained of severe breathing difficulties early in the morning and was rushed to RIMS around 6 am under heavy security. Despite medical intervention, his condition did not improve, and he was declared dead at around 10 am, officials said.

Given the sensitivity of the case, a magistrate has been deputed and legal procedures are being carried out, including a post-mortem examination.

A native of West Bengal, Bose was among the most influential figures in the banned CPI Maoist and was widely regarded as second only to General Secretary Nambala Keshav Rao. He was a member of the outfit’s Central Committee and Politburo, and also served as secretary of its Eastern Regional Bureau.

Known within Maoist circles by aliases such as ‘Manish’ and ‘Buddha’, Bose was considered a key strategist and ideologue, with a role in shaping the group’s operations over nearly four decades.

He was arrested on 12 November 2021, along with his wife, Sheela Marandi, near Kandra Toll Bridge in Seraikela-Kharsawan district. At the time, a reward of Rs 1 crore had been announced for his capture.

Security agencies have linked Bose to over 200 Maoist-related incidents across multiple states, including Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Following his death, security has been heightened in the region as authorities complete legal formalities.

With IANS inputs