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ECI Shifts 15 Bengal IPS Officers Out as Poll Observers in Late-Night Move

The Election Commission of India has cancelled the West Bengal government's alternative postings of 15 IPS officers and deputed them outside the state as police observers. The move comes after opposition parties, notably the BJP, demanded that officers barred from election duties be shifted out to prevent potential influence. The list includes senior officers like Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Murli Dhar and Siliguri Police Commissioner Syed Waqar Raja. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously objected to the ECI's removal of officers without state consultation.

Key Points: ECI Cancels Bengal IPS Officers' Postings, Deputes Them Outside State

  • ECI cancels state's postings of 15 IPS officers
  • Officers deputed as police observers to other poll-bound states
  • Move follows opposition demand to prevent influence
  • Two-phase Bengal polls on April 23 and 29
2 min read

Bengal polls: ECI cancels 'rehabilitation' of IPS officers, deputes them outside state

Election Commission shifts 15 Bengal IPS officers to other states as observers after canceling state's postings. Opposition BJP had demanded their removal.

"bureaucrats and police officers barred by the Commission... should also be shifted out of the state - Opposition demand"

Kolkata, March 19

In a late-night development on Wednesday, the Election Commission of India cancelled the rehabilitation of several Indian Police Service officers in West Bengal who had been given alternative postings by the state government after being removed by the Commission from their earlier posts and barred from election-related duties in the state, which is heading for crucial two-phase Assembly polls next month.

On Wednesday night, the ECI issued a fresh notification cancelling the alternative postings of 15 such IPS officers and decided to shift them out of the state by deputing them as police observers to other poll-bound states.

The list of IPS officers whose postings have been cancelled and who have been sent on deputation includes Akash Magharia, Alok Rajoria, Amandeep, Abhijit Banerjee, Bhaskar Mukherjee, C. Sudhakar, Dhritimaan Sarkar, Indira Mukherjee, Murli Dhar, Mukesh, Praveen Kumar Tripathi, Priyabrata Roy, Sandeep Karra, Rashid Munir Khan, and Syed Waqar Raja.

Among them, Murli Dhar was the Police Commissioner of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, and Syed Waqar Raja was the Police Commissioner of Siliguri Metropolitan Police.

There had been a sustained demand from Opposition parties in West Bengal, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), that bureaucrats and police officers barred by the Commission from election-related duties should also be shifted out of the state till the polling process is over, so that they are not in a position to influence the electoral process from within the state.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had been critical of the removal of bureaucrats and police officers from their posts without consulting the state government, and had written to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar raising objections in the matter.

The two-phase polls in West Bengal will be held on April 23 and April 29. In the first phase, polling will be held for 152 Assembly constituencies, and in the second phase, for 142 constituencies.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
While I understand the need for impartiality, this constant tug-of-war between the state and central bodies is unsettling. These are senior IPS officers; their careers shouldn't be used as political footballs. There must be a more dignified process.
A
Aman W
Good decision. If the ECI removed them, they must have had valid reasons. Sending them as observers to other states is a smart solution—they use their experience but away from the Bengal battleground. The integrity of the election is paramount.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, it's interesting to see how deeply the ECI gets involved in state matters. In my country, election commissions don't usually transfer police commissioners. Shows how high-stakes Indian elections can be!
V
Vikram M
Didi is right to question the lack of consultation. This is a federal structure, after all. But at the same time, the EC's mandate is clear. A tough situation, but ultimately, the sanctity of the vote must be protected. Jai Hind!
K
Kriti O
This back-and-forth creates so much uncertainty for the officers and their families. Posting changes are stressful. Hope they are given clear tenures and roles in their new states. The human cost of election administration is often ignored.

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