EC suspends 5 police officers in Diamond Harbour ahead of polls, probe ordered

The Election Commission of India has suspended five police officers in Diamond Harbour ahead of the second phase of Assembly elections scheduled for April 29, ordering a departmental inquiry against them. The action, taken on charges of failing to maintain neutrality, includes one IPS officer and comes as part of intensified monitoring in poll-bound areas. The district’s Superintendent of Police has also been issued a stern warning.

The suspended officials have been identified as Additional Superintendent of Police (IPS) Sandeep Garai, SDPO Sajal Mondal, Inspector-in-Charge of Diamond Harbour Police Station Mousum Chakraborty, Inspector-in-Charge of Falta Police Station Ajay Bag, and Officer-in-Charge of Usthi Police Station Shubhechha Bag. In addition, Superintendent of Police Dr. Ishani Pal has been formally cautioned by the Commission over the matter.

The decision follows a report sent to Delhi on April 22 by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. Based on the findings, the Commission ordered immediate suspension and directed that departmental disciplinary proceedings be initiated against the officers. The move is seen as part of efforts to enforce strict adherence to election guidelines and ensure impartial policing during the electoral process.

Since the announcement of the elections, several administrative reshuffles have been carried out across the state. Police observers from states such as Bihar, Telangana, Delhi, Punjab, and Gujarat have been deployed with district-wise responsibilities. Key changes have also been made in senior positions, including the appointment of Siddhinath Gupta as Director General of Police replacing Piyush Pandey, and Ajay Nanda as Kolkata Police Commissioner replacing Supratim Sarkar. Transfers have been effected across multiple districts and ranges, including Birbhum, Purba Medinipur, Cooch Behar, Malda, Raiganj, Murshidabad, Bardhaman, Jalpaiguri, and Presidency Range, along with changes in Bidhannagar and Siliguri police commissionerates.