The newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led West Bengal government on Monday, 18 May announced the formation of two separate judicial probe commissions — both headed by retired judges of the Calcutta High Court — to investigate cases of 'institutional corruption' and 'crime against women' across the state. The decision, formalised at the second cabinet meeting of the new administration, marks an early and pointed departure from the policies of the previous government.

The Two Commissions

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed the appointments at a press briefing on Monday afternoon. Justice Biswajit Basu (retired) of the Calcutta High Court will chair the commission probing institutional corruption, while Justice Samapti Chattopadhyay (retired) will lead the panel investigating crimes against women.

Senior police officer Damayanti Sen, currently serving as Additional Director General of West Bengal Armed Police, has been inducted into the women's safety commission. Her mandate, according to the Chief Minister, will focus on supervising the collection of data and evidence in major cases related to crimes against women in West Bengal over the past several years.

What the Government Said

'There had been rampant corruption in the implementation of different social projects of both the Central and state governments during the previous regime. Bribes had to be paid for getting benefits under these social projects. Common people were cheated. Many government officials, panchayat members, councillors and chains of brokers were involved in such corrupt practices,' Adhikari told reporters.

He added that both commissions would receive logistical support through the offices of Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal and Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh.

Timeline and Next Steps

Both panels are expected to begin functioning from June 2025. The Chief Minister said he anticipates the commissions will begin issuing recommendations within 30 days of their activation. 'The police will register FIRs on the basis of their suggestions. Proper action will be taken under appropriate sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023,' Adhikari said.

A Manifesto Promise Delivered

The formation of these two commissions was explicitly listed in the BJP's pre-election Sankalp Patra (election manifesto). Monday's cabinet approval converts that electoral pledge into executive action within weeks of the new government assuming office. This comes amid sustained political scrutiny of the previous administration over allegations of corruption in welfare scheme implementation and a series of high-profile cases involving crimes against women in the state.

Whether the commissions deliver actionable outcomes — or remain symbolic gestures — will depend on the pace of their investigations and the government's willingness to act on their recommendations, including against its own officials if evidence warrants it.