Major Police Reshuffle Ahead of West Bengal Assembly Elections

In a strategic move ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, the Election Commission has reshuffled 19 senior police officers, including two ADGs. This decision aims to ensure a transparent and violence-free electoral process. Key appointments include new police commissioners for various districts and changes in superintendents across 12 districts. The elections are set for April 23 and 29, with results to be counted on May 4. This reshuffle reflects the Commission's commitment to maintaining order and integrity during the electoral process.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 17, 2026, 15:48 IST

Significant Changes in Police Leadership

Kolkata: On Tuesday, the Election Commission executed a significant reshuffle involving 19 senior police officials, including two Additional Directors General (ADGs), in preparation for the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal.

Rajesh Kumar Singh has been appointed as the new ADG for South Bengal, while K Jayaraman will take on the role of ADG for North Bengal. Both officers are from the 1997 IPS batch.

Additionally, new police commissioners have been designated for several regions, including Asansol-Durgapur, Howrah, Barrackpore, and Chandannagar.

Pranav Kumar will serve as the new Commissioner of Police for Asansol-Durgapur, Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi has been appointed for Howrah, Amit Kumar Singh will oversee Barrackpore, and Sunil Kumar Yadav will take charge in Chandannagar.

The reshuffle also included changes to the superintendents in 12 districts.

Puspa has been assigned as the Superintendent of Police for Barasat, Jaspreet Singh for Cooch Behar, Surya Pratap Yadav for Birbhum, Kumar Sunny Rai for Hooghly Rural, Ishani Paul for Diamond Harbour, Sachin for Murshidabad, Alakananda Bhowal for Basirhat, Anupam Singh for Malda, Anshuman Saha for Purba Medinipur, and Surinder Singh for Jangipur.

Rakesh Singh will now serve as the Superintendent of Police for Islampur, while Papiya Sultana has been appointed for Paschim Medinipur.

YS Jagannathrao has been named the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) for Kolkata.

An official stated, "The Election Commission is dedicated to ensuring elections that are transparent, free from fear, violence, and inducements."

The Commission has mandated that these changes be implemented immediately, with compliance required by 11 am on March 18, and has barred the transferred officers from participating in election duties.

Following the announcement of the election dates on Sunday, the EC also transferred Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty and Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena, and subsequently removed DGP Peeyush Pandey and Kolkata CP Supratim Sarkar.

The elections for the 294-member West Bengal assembly are scheduled to take place in two phases on April 23 and 29, with vote counting set for May 4.