EC appoints Siddh Nath Gupta as new DG of Bengal, Ajay Kr Nand new CP of Kolkata, Ajay Ranade ADG & IGP (Law & Order)

Following the removal of the state's top administrative officials, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a high-profile reshuffle of West Bengal's police leadership. In a direct directive issued on Sunday, IPS Siddh Nath Gupta has been appointed as the new Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG & IGP) of West Bengal. Gupta, a seasoned officer of the 1991 batch, takes over the state's highest police post to oversee the upcoming two-phase Assembly elections.

The ECI has also made significant changes to the Kolkata Police and other critical departments. IPS Ajay Kumar Nand has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police (CP) for Kolkata, taking over the city's security operations. Additionally, IPS N. Ramesh Babu has been assigned the role of DG, Correctional Services, while IPS Ajay Mukund Ranade has been posted as the Additional Director General (ADG) & IGP of Law and Order. These appointments are aimed at ensuring an impartial and secure environment during the polling process.

Strict timelines have been set for the transition, with the Commission ordering all newly appointed officers to assume their charges by 3:00 PM today, Monday, March 16. A formal compliance report confirming the change of guard must be submitted to the Commission immediately after. This swift move follows the ECI’s standard protocol of shifting officers from key executive positions if they have been in their roles for an extended period or if there are concerns regarding administrative neutrality during the election cycle.