Kolkata: Sourav Ganguly and wife receive death threats, police launch probe

By Arjun Nair / 11.08.2026

By Arjun Nair — 10 August 2026 — 3 min read

Threats prompt police investigation

Sourav Ganguly, former captain of the Indian cricket team, and his wife, Dona Ganguly, have reportedly received multiple death threats, leading to a police investigation in Kolkata. The threats, which include explicit warnings of harm, have prompted a security review for the high-profile family. A formal complaint has been lodged with the police, detailing the nature of the communications received over several months.

According to reports, the letters containing threats have been arriving for approximately six months. Initially, these communications were not taken seriously, with family sources indicating they were brushed aside as notes from overzealous fans. However, the escalating aggression and repeated nature of the threats in recent letters led the family to seek police intervention.

The latest letters, received at Ganguly’s office on Monday, contained explicit threats to eliminate him and his wife, and to harm individuals close to them. These communications were written entirely in English. The police have since launched an investigation to identify the sender and determine their motive.

Details of the complaint and ongoing probe

A written complaint was filed by Ganguly, who currently serves as the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), at the Thakurpukur Police Station in south Kolkata. This action followed the receipt of the most recent threatening letter. The complaint, lodged by the former cricketer’s manager, highlights the serious nature of the threats.

The Kolkata Police STF and the directorate of security have initiated a probe into the matter. Investigators are examining the contents of the letters and attempting to establish the identity of the sender. One report indicates that the STF has identified a location approximately 32km from the Gangulys’ Behala residence, believed to be where some of the threat letters were dispatched. Police were reportedly raiding this site as of the latest updates.

The formal complaint submitted to the police detailed the increasing severity of the threats. It stated that while initial letters contained objectionable remarks, the most recent ones explicitly threatened the lives and safety of Sourav Ganguly, Dona Ganguly, and their staff. The state government’s security department has also been informed and asked to take immediate steps to address the situation.

Security concerns and police response

Given Sourav Ganguly’s public profile, the security department is reviewing the threat assessment to determine if additional security measures are necessary for him and his family. Police officials have assured Ganguly’s personal assistant that all necessary actions are being taken to ensure the safety of the family.

Preliminary investigations suggest that some letters were sent via courier to the Ganguly residence. One such packet reportedly listed the sender’s name as Arun Kumar, a resident of Belgharia. Investigators have also traced a phone number mentioned in one of the letters, which a ‘Truecaller’ search reportedly linked to the same name. Authorities are now working to ascertain whether the individual named is indeed the sender or if their identity is being used by someone else to target the former India skipper.

The investigation is ongoing, with police actively working to identify the person responsible for sending these threatening communications. The focus remains on ensuring the safety and security of Sourav Ganguly, his wife, and their staff in Kolkata.

Source: m.rediff.com