In a major embarrassment for the election machinery, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday, March 29, suspended three personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) after a viral video showed them playing carrom inside an office of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Siliguri, West Bengal.
The video, which began circulating widely on social media on March 28, captured two CAPF personnel engaged in a game of carrom with alleged TMC party workers. A third personnel was seen sitting nearby, appearing relaxed and watching the game unfold. The visuals quickly sparked outrage, with questions being raised about the impartiality and conduct of central forces deployed for election duty.
Taking cognisance of the incident, the ECI confirmed the suspension of the three personnel and directed a departmental inquiry to ascertain the circumstances under which they entered the political party office and engaged in such activities. The poll body’s action shows its stated commitment to ensuring free and fair elections, particularly in politically sensitive states like West Bengal.
The incident has triggered a sharp political reaction. Jagannath Chatterjee, a candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Siliguri, expressed serious concerns over the deployment and conduct of central forces. He stated, “It is unclear how and where the central forces are being deployed. If the local administration or police had a role in this carrom game, strict action should be taken against them as well.” His remarks reflect the broader apprehension within the opposition regarding possible lapses in maintaining neutrality during elections.
#ECI suspends three CAPF personnel after a video surfaced showing them playing carrom board inside a #TMC party office in Suri, Birbhum district of #WestBengal. pic.twitter.com/i8Ez4o7gMB
— Pooja Mehta (@pooja_news) March 29, 2026
On the other hand, Malay Mukherjee of the TMC sought to downplay the controversy. Defending the personnel, he remarked, “Those who were working here understand that casually interacting with TMC is not a crime. That is probably why they were talking and playing carrom.” His statement, however, has further fuelled the debate on whether such “casual interactions” are appropriate for forces tasked with maintaining electoral integrity.
This is not the first time that CAPF personnel have come under scrutiny in West Bengal during the election period. Earlier, the ECI had removed seven CAPF personnel from election duty after they attended an Iftar gathering in the Samserganj area of Murshidabad district. That incident too had raised serious questions about adherence to the model code of conduct and the expected neutrality of security forces.
The latest controversy once again highlights the challenges faced by the Election Commission of India in ensuring strict compliance with election protocols, particularly in politically charged environments. As the inquiry proceeds, the focus will remain on accountability and reinforcing the credibility of institutions responsible for conducting elections in the country.
