Malda DM issues show cause notice to ADM (Law & Order) over “serious lapse” in Kaliachak duty

The District Magistrate of Malda has issued a show cause notice to Shaikh Ansar Ahamad, an Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order), citing a serious lapse in duty during a sensitive law and order deployment on April 1, 2026. The notice alleges that the officer failed to report critical ground developments from the Kaliachak area to higher authorities, despite being specifically assigned to monitor the situation.

According to the notice, the officer had been deputed to oversee law and order amid a potentially volatile situation and was instructed at 11:30 AM to maintain constant vigilance and ensure coordination between civil and police administration. He was further directed to be physically present in Kaliachak between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM and maintain continuous communication with all concerned authorities to provide real-time updates.

However, it has been alleged that despite being in the field and in active communication with other local officials, the officer failed to relay the gravity of the situation to higher authorities for a continuous five-hour period between 3:30 PM and 8:30 PM. The notice states that this lack of communication left the administration without crucial field-level inputs during a critical time, potentially affecting timely decision-making and response measures.

The administration has termed the lapse a serious dereliction of duty and a violation of Rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, which mandates absolute devotion to duty. The officer has been directed to submit a detailed written explanation within seven days, addressing specific points including reasons for the communication failure and actions taken during the period, failing which disciplinary proceedings may be initiated.