West Bengal Election Preparations Prompt Major Police Transfers
As the assembly elections approach, the Election Commission of West Bengal has initiated a significant reshuffle of senior police officials. Key appointments include Rajesh Kumar Singh as the new Additional Director General for South Bengal and several new police commissioners in major urban areas. The Commission emphasizes its commitment to conducting fair and transparent elections, with immediate implementation of these transfers. The elections for the 294 assembly seats are set for April 23 and 29, with counting on May 4. This reshuffle aims to ensure a violence-free electoral process.
Mar 17, 2026, 17:28 IST
Significant Police Reshuffle Ahead of Elections
As preparations intensify for the upcoming assembly elections, the Election Commission has initiated a new round of transfers involving 19 senior police officials in West Bengal. Among the key changes, IPS officer Rajesh Kumar Singh has been appointed as the new Additional Director General (ADG) for South Bengal. K. Jayaraman will take over as the ADG for North Bengal. Both officials belong to the 1997 batch. Additionally, several new police commissioners have been assigned to major urban areas. Pranav Kumar will now serve as the police commissioner for Asansol-Durgapur in the Paschim Bardhaman district. Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi has been appointed as the police commissioner for Howrah, while Amit Kumar Singh will lead the Barrackpore district in North 24 Parganas.
Further Appointments and Changes
Sunil Kumar Yadav has been designated as the police commissioner for Chandannagar in the Hooghly district. Furthermore, the Election Commission has ordered leadership changes in several districts, resulting in the appointment of new police superintendents in 12 districts. Pushpa will oversee Barasat, Jaspreet Singh will manage Cooch Behar, and Surya Pratap Yadav will take charge in Birbhum. Kumar Sani Rai has been assigned to Hooghly Rural, while Ishani Paul will supervise Diamond Harbour. Sachin has been appointed in Murshidabad, and Alaknanda Bhowal will serve in Basirhat. Other appointments include Anupam Singh in Malda, Anshuman Saha in East Medinipur, and Surinder Singh in Jangipur. Rakesh Singh will work as the police superintendent in Islampur, and Papiya Sultana has been assigned to West Medinipur.
Commitment to Fair Elections
In Kolkata, YS Jagannath Rao has been appointed as the Deputy Commissioner (Central) of police. The Election Commission has reiterated its commitment to conducting fair elections. The transfers are to be implemented immediately, with compliance reports due by 11 AM on March 18. Transferred officials will not be assigned any election-related duties. An official confirmed that the Election Commission is dedicated to ensuring a transparent, fear-free, violence-free, and inducement-free electoral process. This reshuffle follows previous actions taken by the Commission after the announcement of election dates. Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena have also been transferred, while Director General of Police Piyush Pandey and Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar have been removed from their positions. Elections for the 294 seats in the West Bengal Assembly are scheduled to take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting set for May 4.