Body of Former Sikkim Minister RC Poudyal Found in West Bengal’s Teesta Canal

Gangtok: The body of former Sikkim minister, RC Poudyal, was found floating in the Teesta Canal near Siliguri, West Bengal, nine days after he went missing. 

"Prima facie, it is suspected that the body might have been brought down by the Teesta River from upstream. The identification was made through the watch and the clothes he was wearing," stated a police officer.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to search for the veteran politician after he went missing on July 7 from his hometown of Chota Singtam in Pakyong district. Reports indicated that Poudyal went missing while visiting his sister-in-law’s house in Setipool. He had informed his family that he would return home by 2 PM but was not seen since then.

RC Poudyal had a distinguished political career, serving as the deputy speaker in the first Sikkim assembly and later as the state's forest minister. He was renowned for his deep understanding of Sikkim's cultural and social dynamics.

Poudyal also founded the Rising Sun Party, playing a significant role in Sikkim’s political landscape during the late 70s and 80s.

Chief Minister PS Tamang expressed grief and said, "I am deeply saddened by the sudden demise of the Late Shri RC Poudyal Jyu, a statesman and distinguished senior political leader who had served the Sikkim Government in various capacities."