Election Commission suspends four police officers over lapses at Suvendu Adhikari roadshow in Bhabanipur

The Election Commission of India (EC) on Saturday (April 4, 2026) issued a suspension order to police officers for failing to maintain the law and order situation during West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari’s roadshow and nomination filing in Bhabanipur on Thursday (April 2, 2026). 

“The Commission has agreed to the proposal and directs that the aforementioned Police Officers, be suspended and disciplinary proceedings be initiated against them immediately. The directions of the Commission to be implemented with immediate effect and a compliance report in this regard to be sent by 11:00 AM on 05.04.2026,” an official letter from the EC Delhi said on Saturday. 

This comes after a letter from the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, called for action against the officers for failing in their duties. 

Suspension and disciplinary action have been initiated against Siddartha Dutta, DC-II, South Division, Kolkata Police; Priyankar Chakraborty, OC, Alipore; Chandi Charan Banerjee, Additional OC, Alipore and, Saurabh Chatterjee, Sergeant, Alipore. 

The letter was sent to the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, who was also directed to fill the four vacant positions after the suspended officers left their posts. 

In a related development, the Kolkata Police headquarters has also sent show-cause notices to two police officers regarding the chaos. Based on complaints by the EC, the police have filed two FIRs against the law-and-order situation that unfolded on Thursday. 

Clashes and chaos 

Clashes and chaos erupted in Bhabanipur on Thursday when Home Minister Amit Shah joined Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari as he went to file his nomination from the constituency where he is fighting against Trinamool Congress chairperson and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This was the first time Mr. Shah accompanied a candidate for his nomination filing. 

Stepping up the electoral challenge against the ruling party, BJP workers and leaders led the roadshow with slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” and “BJP zindabad”. However, as the rally progressed and reached near Ms. Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat, chaos erupted between Trinamool and BJP workers. As the ruling party workers raised counter slogans like ‘Joy Bangla’ and ‘Mamata Banerjee zindabad’, a brief stand-off unfolded until police intervened. 

Ex-Kolkata Police chief seeks relief from transfer order 

Meanwhile, the EC wanted to send former Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar to Tamil Nadu during the elections as a police observer. But he has cited medical emergencies and asked for an exemption. He has written to the CEO (West Bengal) and asked to be exempted from the new duty. The CEO has reportedly forwarded the request to the EC.