Police launches probe after CM Mamata’s grievance portal account hacked; 47 unauthorized messages sent

The official Instagram account of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s public grievance initiative, “Seedhe Mukhyamantri,” was hacked in a significant cyber breach that has triggered alarm within administrative and security circles. Hackers allegedly gained unauthorized access to the account and sent 47 direct messages, besides posting two controversial stories, raising concerns about digital security at the highest level of the state administration. A case has been registered at the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station.

Preliminary findings indicate that the breach occurred in two phases. The first intrusion reportedly took place between 2:06 am and 2:19 am, during which several unauthorized messages were sent. The hackers re-entered the account between 9:11 am and 9:22 am, initiating a second round of message dissemination. Across both phases, 47 direct messages were sent to multiple individuals and departments.

Investigators have found that messages were also dispatched to sensitive official handles, including Egiye Bangla, Kolkata Police, and West Bengal Police. Authorities suspect that the attack may have been aimed at creating administrative confusion or undermining the state’s security framework. The scale and targeting pattern of the breach have intensified the probe.

Officials said the account operated under strict security protocols, allowing login access only through three authorized devices — a government-issued mobile phone, a designated laptop, and a specific office desktop. The fact that hackers managed to bypass these restrictions has become a central focus of the investigation, with technical experts examining possible vulnerabilities.

The IT team secured the account immediately after detecting the breach by changing passwords and restricting access. Police have seized digital evidence, including electronic logs, timestamps, and screenshots, and are tracking IP addresses and suspicious links to trace those responsible. Authorities have termed the incident a serious matter involving the reputation of the state’s highest office and assured stringent legal action against the culprits.