Bengal CM warns criminals after fifth police encounter kills Ratan Sheikh
Synopsis
West Bengal's fifth police encounter since July 2026 ended with the death of Ratan Sheikh — a man carrying 35 criminal cases who had shot a constable just two days earlier. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's blunt warning to criminals, granting police a 'free hand', signals a sharper edge to the state's law-and-order posture and raises questions about accountability in a rising string of encounter deaths.
Key Takeaways
Ratan Sheikh , carrying 35 pending criminal cases , was killed in a police encounter in Birbhum district on 15 November 2026 .
This is the fifth police encounter death in West Bengal since July 2026 .
Sheikh had fled a 13 November arrest attempt in Like Bazar , critically injuring constable Biswajit Das in the process.
CM Suvendu Adhikari declared police have a free hand to make spot decisions when confronted, stating there is 'no place for rapists and murderers in Bengal'.
Constable Biswajit Das remains hospitalised in Kolkata ; a formal encounter report is expected to be filed with state authorities.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday, 15 November 2026, issued a stark warning to criminals across the state following the death of Ratan Sheikh in a police encounter in Birbhum district — the fifth such fatality in West Bengal since July 2026. The Chief Minister made clear that law enforcement agencies will not remain passive when confronted with armed resistance.
What the Chief Minister Said
Adhikari delivered unambiguous remarks after the encounter, warning that violent offenders have no future in the state. "There is no place for rapists and murderers in Bengal. If you shoot the police, they will do whatever they want. Goons, flee to Bangladesh. If you stay here, I will do whatever I want," he declared. He added that officers have been granted a free hand to make on-the-spot decisions when their lives are under threat.
How the Encounter Unfolded
Sheikh, a resident of Santa village in Nanoor, had been a wanted figure with 35 criminal cases pending against him, covering offences ranging from illegal possession of firearms to drug trafficking. He had previously been arrested but obtained bail before resuming criminal activity.
On 13 November, a police team from the Bolpur Shantiniketan police station attempted to arrest Sheikh in the Like Bazar area, but he opened fire and escaped, critically injuring constable Biswajit Das. Constable Das was subsequently rushed to a hospital in Kolkata, where Adhikari visited him to review his condition.
Acting on fresh intelligence, a district police team tracked Sheikh to a brick kiln in Charkol village, Nanoor, on Sunday afternoon. According to police accounts, Sheikh again opened fire on the approaching officers, prompting retaliatory fire in self-defence. Sheikh was injured during the exchange and was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital.
Pattern of Encounters Since July
This is the fifth police encounter death in West Bengal since July 2026, following the state administration's declared zero-tolerance stance on violent crime. The pattern has drawn scrutiny, with each incident described by police as a response to armed attacks on officers. Notably, all five encounters have occurred in the backdrop of a broader state crackdown on organised crime and repeat offenders who secure bail.
What Happens Next
Constable Biswajit Das remains in critical condition at a Kolkata hospital. The state police are expected to file a detailed report on the encounter with higher authorities, as is standard procedure in such cases. Civil liberties groups are likely to seek an independent review, given the frequency of encounter deaths in recent months.
Point of View
Particularly given that due process — including bail — was functioning in Sheikh's case right up until the final confrontation. The Chief Minister's framing conflates reactive self-defence with proactive extra-judicial authority, a distinction courts and civil liberties bodies will likely press. West Bengal's encounter trajectory now invites the same accountability questions that have been raised in other states where encounter killings became a governance tool rather than an exceptional measure.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ratan Sheikh and why was he being pursued by police?
Ratan Sheikh was a resident of Santa village in Nanoor, Birbhum district, with 35 criminal cases pending against him ranging from illegal firearms possession to drug trafficking. He had been arrested previously but obtained bail, and came back to police attention after shooting and critically injuring constable Biswajit Das during an arrest attempt on 13 November 2026.
What did West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari say after the encounter?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned that there is 'no place for rapists and murderers in Bengal' and stated that police have been given a free hand to make spot decisions when confronted. He added that if criminals 'shoot the police, they will do whatever they want.'
How many police encounters have occurred in West Bengal in 2026?
This was the fifth police encounter death in West Bengal since July 2026, following the state administration's pledge of strict action against violent criminals. All five incidents have been described by police as responses to armed attacks on officers.
What is the condition of constable Biswajit Das?
Constable Biswajit Das, who was critically injured when Ratan Sheikh opened fire during the 13 November arrest attempt in Like Bazar, is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Kolkata. Chief Minister Adhikari visited him to review his condition.
What happens after a police encounter in West Bengal?
Following standard procedure, the state police are expected to file a detailed report on the encounter with higher authorities. Given the frequency of such deaths since July 2026, civil liberties groups are likely to call for an independent review of the circumstances.
