Controversy Erupts Over Unverified News Published by Dainik Sangbad; Sons and Trust Members of Late Dutta Bhowmik Express Deep Discontent

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 30, 2025

A recent news item published in Dainik Sangbad concerning the installation of an electric transformer near the Tripurainfo.com office at Lichubagan has stirred significant controversy. The report, which implied misuse of government facilities for personal benefit, has been strongly criticized by the sons and trust members of the late veteran journalist and former Dainik Sambad editor, Bhupendra Chandra Dutta Bhowmik.

Kanishk Dutta Bhowmik, son of Bhupendra Chandra Dutta Bhowmik and a trust member of Dainik Sambad, took to Facebook to express his disappointment. In a widely circulated post, he stated:

> “A news item has recently surfaced which has been widely circulated on social media. It concerns the installation of an electric transformer near the Tripurainfo office at Lichubagan, done by the Power

Department. The way it was presented in the newspaper reflects more of a personal attack than a factual report. If any person or business unlawfully receives a benefit from the government, it is indeed the duty of the press to report it, but only after verifying the facts and with supporting evidence.”

Kanishk further underscored the principles upheld by his late father during his editorial leadership:

> “Bhupendra Chandra Dutta Bhowmik’s journalism never supported the publication of unverified or misleading news. He never used journalism as a tool for personal attack or self-interest.”

Echoing this sentiment, another son and trust member, Birat Dutta Bhowmik, commented on the same thread:

" It is expected from Dainik Sambad to publish the neutral or impartial explanation issued from the Department of Power so that the matter is clear to one and all".

This discontent comes in the wake of the death of Pradip Dutta Bhowmik, the original news editor of Dainik Sangbad, who was closely associated with the paper during the lifetime of Bhupendra Chandra Dutta Bhowmik. Following his demise, Sanjay Pul, At the age of more than 70 , who also holds the position of Chairman of the Bhupendra Chandra Dutta Bhowmik Trust, was appointed as the new 'news editor' bypassing any consideration for a family member of the deceased editor late Bhupendra Chandra DuttaBhowmik. This move, too, has drawn concern from sections of the trust.

The current TSECL transformer installations near tripurainfo.com Lichubagan office episode has sparked wider conversations across Tripura about the declining standards of journalism and the rising trend of unverified reporting. Readers, journalists, and close associates of the Dainik Sambad legacy have demanded a return to journalistic ethics rooted in verification, objectivity, and public accountability.

Kanishk Dutta Bhowmik concluded his facebook post with a direct appeal to the current editorial leadership of the newspaper:

> “We hope the newly appointed news editor of the newspaper has verified all the facts before publishing such a news report. Journalism should inform, not mislead.”

The widespread circulation of the Facebook post and subsequent public reactions have triggered a renewed debate on the responsibilities of media houses. This controversy does not just point to a possible lapse in editorial judgement but also serves as a reminder to the media community in Tripura of the standards once upheld by pioneers like Bhupendra Chandra Dutta Bhowmik, truth, responsibility, and the public good.



As the debate continues, the need for credible, ethical journalism in Tripura has never felt more urgent.

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