MMiC still in shock after magician’s death

KOLKATA: A senior member, mayor-in-council of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation parks department, Debasish Kumar, is yet to recover from the trauma associated with the disappearance of magician Chanchal Lahiri. Kumar was present at the spot, on board a vessel, when the magician plunged into the river as part of his “trademark trick”. Kumar was invited by Lahiri himself a week before the show was scheduled.
On Monday, Kumar said he had always been in love with magic shows and did not turn down requests by magicians to turn up for their performances.
“Earlier, I had helped a magician by becoming his pillion rider as he drove his bike blindfolded. Sunday’s show was no exception. I went to encourage him. But little did I know that it would be the magician’s last show. When he plunged into the water I was told that Lahiri would resurface within 10 minutes. I then got a call from Netaji Indoor Stadium and headed there to attend a function. Later in the night, I was told that Lahiri was still missing,” Kumar said.
Sources in the parks department said Lahiri had planned to do a trick and make Kumar disappear. The MMiC on Monday said that he had not responded to the magician’s request and hence the plan was dropped.
“I had no idea that I would be witness to such a misadventure in my life. I really feel for the magician and his family,” Kumar said.