Election Commission Suspends Naihati Police IC for Alleged Bias in Nomination Process
Synopsis
In a significant move, the Election Commission of India suspends the Inspector-in-Charge of Naihati police for allegedly facilitating a political leader during the nomination process, raising questions about police impartiality in West Bengal's elections.
Key Takeaways
ECI suspends Naihati police IC for alleged partisan actions.
BJP leader Arjun Singh exposes the incident via social media.
This incident highlights concerns over police impartiality in West Bengal.
Previous suspensions of police officers indicate a pattern of addressing electoral misconduct .
The ECI's actions reflect its commitment to fair elections .
Kolkata, April 6 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended the Inspector-in-Charge (IC) of the Naihati police station, part of the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, due to accusations of aiding the Chairman of Naihati Municipality, a political figure, by transporting him to the SDO office during the nomination phase, as reported by an ECI source on Monday.
This action was prompted by BJP leader Arjun Singh, a former Lok Sabha member from the Barrackpore constituency, who brought the issue to light by sharing a video on social media, calling for the ECI to intervene.
In his post, Singh stated, “The @ECISVEEP is striving for the @WBPolice to act impartially, but old habits die hard. Ashok Chatterjee, the Chairman of Naihati Municipality and a member of the @AITCofficial, was seen disembarking from a police vehicle at the SDO office in Barrackpore.”
He asserted that the vehicle in question is operated by the Naihati police station under the Barrackpore City Police.
Singh continued, “Chatterjee was present to participate in the nomination process for the @AITCofficial candidate from Naihati. I urge the offices of @ECISVEEP and @CEOWestBengal to investigate the misuse of police vehicles by TMC leaders and take appropriate action.”
This is not the first time the ECI has taken such measures in West Bengal; police officers have faced suspension for failure to uphold duty during previous assembly elections.
Recently, four personnel from Kolkata Police were suspended due to disruptions in law and order following unrest during a roadshow related to BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari's nomination, attended by Home Minister Shah in the Bhabanipur constituency.
Previously, the ECI also suspended the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kasba police station for neglecting to include Sona Pappu, alias Biswajit Poddar, in the list of known criminals.
Before the assembly elections, the Commission instructed both state and Kolkata Police to compile a list of absconding and declared criminals, assigning responsibilities to all police station OCs, leading to the suspension of the OC of Kasba for non-compliance.
Point of View
It is essential to highlight the seriousness of the Election Commission's actions in maintaining electoral integrity, particularly in regions like West Bengal where political tensions often influence police conduct. The suspension of the Naihati police IC underscores a concerted effort to ensure fair elections and uphold democratic principles.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the suspension of the Naihati IC?
The Naihati IC was suspended for allegedly transporting the Chairman of Naihati Municipality to the SDO office during the nomination process, raising concerns of police bias.
Who reported the incident that prompted action?
BJP leader Arjun Singh reported the incident, sharing a video on social media to urge the Election Commission to act.
Has the ECI suspended other police officers in West Bengal?
Yes, the ECI has previously suspended multiple police officers in West Bengal for various allegations of dereliction of duty during elections.
What are the implications of this suspension?
This suspension may serve as a warning to police forces in the state about the importance of maintaining impartiality during elections.
What actions has the ECI taken in the past regarding police conduct?
The ECI has taken action against police officers for failing to comply with directives related to maintaining law and order during elections.
