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Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed West Bengal Chief Secretary to suspend five police officials, including an IPS officer, in South 24 Parganas district’s Diamond Harbour and initiate disciplinary action against them for "serious misconduct" and alleged failure to maintain impartiality during West Bengal 2026 assembly polls. Meanwhile, 11 additional Police Observers have been appointed for the second phase of elections.
Click here to catch latest developments on state elections
The officials named for suspension, include Additional Superintendent of Police(Diamond Harbour) IPS Sandip Garai, SDPO- Diamond Harbour Sajal Mondal, inspector in charge of Diamond Harbour police station Mausam Chakraborty, Inspector in Charge of Falta Police Station Ajay Bag, and officer in charge of Usthi Police Station Subhechha Bag.
In a letter to the state chief secretary, the poll panel clearly stated that the decision was based on a report submitted by West Bengal-Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal regarding the conduct of the police personnel.
“After considering the facts and circumstances of the matter, the Commission directs that the following officers may be suspended forthwith and disciplinary proceedings be initiated for their serious misconduct and failure to maintain neutrality during West Bengal Legislative Elections 2026,” EC said in its letter.
Also Read: Vote Yatra: How domestic help exodus exposes urban India's dependence
Meanwhile, a warning has been issued by ECI to Dr. Ishani Pal, the Superintendent of Police, Diamond Harbour “for failure to ensure discipline and fairness on the part of her subordinate officers in sensitive matters like elections.”
The Commission also asked the state government to forward a report on Additional Superintendent of Police Garai, an IPS officer, to his cadre controlling authority in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The directions of the Commission to be implemented with immediate effect and a compliance report in this regard by 11AM April 25, it said.
The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on April 23 with a high turnout across 152 constituencies following months of controversy over voter roll deletions and a bitter campaign.
Click here to catch latest developments on state elections
The officials named for suspension, include Additional Superintendent of Police(Diamond Harbour) IPS Sandip Garai, SDPO- Diamond Harbour Sajal Mondal, inspector in charge of Diamond Harbour police station Mausam Chakraborty, Inspector in Charge of Falta Police Station Ajay Bag, and officer in charge of Usthi Police Station Subhechha Bag.
In a letter to the state chief secretary, the poll panel clearly stated that the decision was based on a report submitted by West Bengal-Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal regarding the conduct of the police personnel.
“After considering the facts and circumstances of the matter, the Commission directs that the following officers may be suspended forthwith and disciplinary proceedings be initiated for their serious misconduct and failure to maintain neutrality during West Bengal Legislative Elections 2026,” EC said in its letter.
Also Read: Vote Yatra: How domestic help exodus exposes urban India's dependence
Meanwhile, a warning has been issued by ECI to Dr. Ishani Pal, the Superintendent of Police, Diamond Harbour “for failure to ensure discipline and fairness on the part of her subordinate officers in sensitive matters like elections.”
The Commission also asked the state government to forward a report on Additional Superintendent of Police Garai, an IPS officer, to his cadre controlling authority in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The directions of the Commission to be implemented with immediate effect and a compliance report in this regard by 11AM April 25, it said.
The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on April 23 with a high turnout across 152 constituencies following months of controversy over voter roll deletions and a bitter campaign.
