In a decisive move ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India has carried out a major reshuffle of police officers across West Bengal, transferring 12 Superintendents of Police (SPs) and one Deputy Commissioner (DC). The Commission has directed immediate implementation, underlining its intent to ensure free, fair, and fear-free polling.
The large-scale administrative overhaul has impacted several politically sensitive districts, including Barasat, Cooch Behar, Birbhum, Hooghly, and Malda, along with Murshidabad, Diamond Harbour, Purba Medinipur, and Paschim Medinipur, regions that have historically witnessed electoral tensions. Officials appointed to new roles have been instructed to assume charge and submit their joining reports by 11:00 AM on March 18, signalling the urgency and seriousness with which the Commission is acting.
Alongside district-level transfers, the Commission has approved significant senior-level postings aimed at tightening administrative control. Rajesh Kumar Singh has been appointed as ADG & IGP of the South Bengal Region, while Jayaraman will head the North Bengal Region. Pranav Kumar has been named Commissioner of Police for Asansol-Durgapur, Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi for Howrah, Amit Kumar Singh for Barrackpore, and Sunil Kumar Yadav for Chandannagar.
Additionally, a new Deputy Commissioner has been appointed for Kolkata’s Central Division. This sweeping reshuffle reflects a broader strategy to recalibrate the law-and-order machinery ahead of the high-stakes electoral contest.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar delivered a strong message, asserting that the Commission is committed to conducting “transparent, fear-free, violence-free and inducement-free elections.” He warned that any lapses or incidents of poll-related violence would invite action beyond routine transfers, signalling a zero-tolerance approach. Importantly, the transferred officers have been barred from taking up any election-related duties until the completion of the polling process, further underscoring the EC’s strict stance on neutrality and accountability.
The reshuffle follows closely on the heels of major changes at the top levels of the state’s police administration. Siddh Nath Gupta has been appointed DG & IGP (In-charge) of West Bengal, while Natarajan Ramesh Babu has taken over as DG of Correctional Services. Ajay Mukund Ranade has been appointed ADG & IGP (Law & Order), and Ajay Kumar Nand has been named the new Commissioner of Police, Kolkata.
The removal of Vinit Goyal, who faced intense scrutiny following the RG Kar doctor rape and murder case had already sparked political reactions and protests, contributing to a charged pre-election atmosphere.
The 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal are scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting set for May 4. Against the backdrop of the state’s history of electoral violence and political clashes, the Election Commission’s sweeping intervention is being viewed as a preemptive attempt to tighten administrative control, restore confidence in the electoral process, and ensure that voting takes place without fear or coercion.
