In alleged cases of misuse of police forces and their actions that had hurt public sentiment the West Bengal government has suspended an IPS officer and four police personnel in connection with a series of controversial incidents that took place during the previous Trinamool Congress regime.
This was stated by the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday the 25th of July 2026 while asserting that the administration would ensure accountability for alleged misuse of the police force and actions that hurt public sentiment.
The CM of West Bengal was making a statement in the Assembly and added that his government has decided to initiate suspension, registration of FIRs and departmental proceedings against the officers concerned following preliminary inquiries into the incidents.
Suvendu Adhikari alleged that between 2021 and 2026 several incidents had triggered widespread public resentment and, in some cases, hurt the religious sentiments of members of the Sanatan community.
In all these cases, he said the government was determined to act against those found responsible.
The Leader of the House in West Bengal Assembly referred first to the Kaliganj incident in Uttar Dinajpur district where an alleged an alleged rape and murder was reported of a Class IX student in April 2023 and the subsequent protests.
During that agitation, Rajbanshi youth Mrityunjay Barman was allegedly killed in police firing. Adhikari announced the suspension of Kaliganj police station Assistant Sub-Inspector Moazzem Hossain, alleging his involvement in the incident.
He further directed that an FIR be lodged against the officer and said stricter legal action would follow if required.
The Chief Minister also announced action in connection with the alleged harassment of retired IPS officer Pankaj Dutta, who was a vocal critic of previous the Mamata Banerjee-led administration, especially over the RG Kar episode.
The Burtolla Police had summoned the decorated, retired officer on multiple days and subjected him to intense interrogation and humiliation and deprived him of basic amenities.
Two weeks after his intense interrogation Dutta suffered a severe cerebral attack and passed away in December 2024 at a hospital in Varanasi at the age of 73. His widow filed a criminal complaint earlier this month.
The CM said that former investigating officer of Burtolla police station, Sub-Inspector Sadhan Das, has been suspended.
Former officer-in-charge of the same police station, Subarna Dutta Chowdhury, has also been placed under suspension over the case, he informed the House.
In another decision, Adhikari ordered the suspension of Inspector Amalendu Biswas over allegations relating to a police lathi-charge on devotees during the Jagaddhatri Puja immersion in Krishnanagar in October 2025.
He also referred to allegations that objectionable remarks had been made about the Sanatan faith during the episode. A departmental inquiry has been ordered against the officer, the Chief Minister added.
The most significant action announced by the Chief Minister concerned the Kakdwip incident in South 24-Parganas district where a desecrated Kali idol was allegedly taken in a prison van following unrest during Kali Puja in Suryanagar in October 2025.
Adhikari described the episode as an affront to the faith of Sanatan devotees and said such incidents could not be tolerated.
He announced the suspension of the Superintendent of Police of Sundarban Police District, IPS officer Koteswara Rao, holding him accountable for the police action during the incident.
“The police were repeatedly misused under the previous Trinamool Congress government. The manner in which the idol of Goddess Kali was taken in a prison van deeply hurt the religious sentiments of devotees. Our government is committed to ensuring administrative accountability and preventing any recurrence of such incidents,” the Chief Minister told the Assembly.
Following the announcement, members of the Treasury benches raised slogans of “Kali Mata Ki Jai” inside the House.
The Chief Minister maintained that the disciplinary measures were intended to establish accountability in cases that had remained controversial for years and to reinforce public confidence in the administration and the rule of law.
