Kalighat Police Station OC changed 4 times in 36 days ahead of WB results
Synopsis
Kalighat Police Station — which covers Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence and the Bhabanipur constituency — has seen four different Officers-in-Charge in just 36 days. The latest removal, just 24 hours after appointment, comes on the eve of West Bengal election results, raising pointed questions about stability and political pressure on Kolkata's police administration.
Key Takeaways
Chameli Mukherjee was removed as OC of Kalighat Police Station within 24 hours of her appointment on 3 May 2025 .
This is the fourth OC change at Kalighat in 36 days , ordered by Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand .
Balai Bagh , formerly Additional OC of Polerhat Police Station , has been appointed the new OC.
Previous OC Gautam Das was suspended over a controversial social media post before being removed on Saturday.
Kalighat covers the Bhabanipur constituency and the residence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee .
West Bengal election results are due on 4 May , after voting in two phases on 23 and 29 April .
Kolkata Police on Sunday, 3 May removed Kalighat Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Chameli Mukherjee within 24 hours of her appointment, marking the fourth change at the post in just 36 days, officials said. The churn at one of Kolkata's most politically sensitive police stations comes on the eve of West Bengal Assembly election result day, with vote counting scheduled for 4 May.
The Rapid Succession of Officers
The first change at Kalighat came on 29 March, when Utpal Ghosh of the Kolkata Police Intelligence Department was appointed OC. He was removed within a month on the orders of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Gautam Das, from the Special Branch of Kolkata Police, was then installed on 25 April.
Das was suspended on Saturday over a controversial social media post and immediately removed from the post. Chameli Mukherjee, formerly OC of Ultadanga Women Police Station, was brought in as his replacement — only for that order to be reversed within 24 hours. Balai Bagh, who served as Additional OC of Polerhat Police Station in the Bhangar division, has now been appointed the new OC of Kalighat. The order was issued by Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand.
Why Kalighat Is Under the Spotlight
The Kalighat Police Station falls under the Kolkata South division and covers the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency — the seat represented by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose residence also falls within its jurisdiction. The station's strategic importance makes every personnel decision at this post politically significant, particularly during election season.
Notably, since the announcement of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Election Commission has directed several transfers and removals across Kolkata and state police forces. The repeated changes at Kalighat reflect the heightened scrutiny on law enforcement in constituencies closely associated with senior political figures.
Election Context
West Bengal voted across 294 Assembly constituencies in two phases — on 23 April and 29 April. Vote counting is set for 4 May, making the timing of these transfers particularly sensitive. The ECI has been closely monitoring police conduct and social media activity of officers during the election period, as evidenced by the suspension of Gautam Das over his online post.
What Happens Next
With Balai Bagh now in charge of Kalighat Police Station, the focus shifts to whether the new appointment will hold through results day and the post-poll period. The frequency of transfers signals ongoing pressure on the police administration from both the Election Commission and the political environment surrounding the constituency. Any further disruption at the station would mark an unprecedented fifth change in under six weeks.
Point of View
Whether intended or not. The Election Commission's visible hand in these changes underscores how thin the line between policing and politics has become in West Bengal. The suspension of an OC over a social media post, followed by his replacement being reversed within a day, suggests the administration is reacting to events rather than managing them — a worrying pattern as the state awaits a high-stakes verdict on 4 May.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Kalighat Police Station OC been changed so many times?
The Kalighat Police Station OC has been changed four times in 36 days amid West Bengal Assembly elections, with the Election Commission ordering some removals and a social media controversy triggering another. The station's sensitivity — it covers Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence and the Bhabanipur constituency — has kept it under intense scrutiny.
Who is the current OC of Kalighat Police Station?
Balai Bagh is the current Officer-in-Charge of Kalighat Police Station as of 3 May 2025. He was transferred from his role as Additional OC of Polerhat Police Station in the Bhangar division.
Why was Chameli Mukherjee removed as Kalighat OC within 24 hours?
Kolkata Police reversed Chameli Mukherjee's appointment within 24 hours of her taking charge on Saturday, though officials did not publicly state a specific reason for the reversal. She had been appointed to replace Gautam Das, who was suspended over a controversial social media post.
What role did the Election Commission play in the Kalighat police transfers?
The Election Commission of India ordered the removal of at least one Kalighat OC — Utpal Ghosh — within a month of his appointment in March 2025. The ECI has been actively monitoring police conduct across West Bengal since election dates were announced.
When are the West Bengal election results expected?
West Bengal Assembly election results are scheduled to be declared on 4 May 2025, following voting in two phases on 23 April and 29 April across all 294 constituencies.
