Suvendu alleges phone tapping by IPS officers, submits complaint and speech clips

In a fresh political controversy ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has approached the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) alleging that his phone and location, along with those of BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya, are being tracked. Raising the issue formally, Adhikari named senior IPS officers Javed Shamim and Vineet Goyal, claiming they were involved in monitoring BJP leaders across levels, from top leadership to grassroots workers.

Addressing a press conference, Adhikari said his party possesses counter-evidence to support the allegations and demanded a thorough investigation by the Election Commission into agencies including the CID, STF, Intelligence Bureau, and the Director of Security. He further alleged that certain directives issued by the Commission are not being implemented effectively on the ground and flagged these concerns in his complaint.

He also accused Director of Security Manoj Verma of creating public inconvenience by blocking roads while allegedly facilitating advantages for the Chief Minister and ruling party leaders. Additionally, Adhikari alleged that district police officials, including SP Mehdi Hasan of Jangipur and SP Palash Dhali of West Midnapore, were interfering in the functioning of the Election Commission during the ongoing poll process.

Alongside the surveillance allegations, Adhikari submitted pen drives containing clips of speeches by Mamata Banerjee, claiming they contained statements that could disrupt the electoral process. He alleged that in one instance, she encouraged women to resist central forces, and in another, suggested BJP workers distance themselves publicly from the party. Calling these remarks “direct threats,” he urged the Commission to take action, echoing earlier demands by BJP leaders for restrictions on her campaigning.