Kolkata Police warn of legal action over fake posts after Bengal poll results
Synopsis
West Bengal's dramatic political shift — BJP winning 207 of 294 seats and Trinamool Congress collapsing to 80 — has been followed by a wave of fake social media posts claiming post-poll violence in Kolkata. Police have issued legal warnings and say the situation is under control, even as outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has yet to resign.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata Police warned on 5 May of strict legal action against those sharing fake or unrelated social media posts after West Bengal Assembly election results .
The force confirmed it is closely monitoring social media and has begun action against misinformation spreaders.
BJP won 207 seats in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly, ending Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule after over a decade and a half.
TMC's seat count fell sharply from 215 in 2021 to 80 .
Outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost her own seat in Bhabanipur and had not tendered her resignation as of Tuesday.
Security outside Banerjee's ancestral home at 30B, Harish Chatterjee Street was visibly reduced on Tuesday morning.
Kolkata Police on Tuesday, 5 May issued a stern warning of legal action against anyone circulating fake or unrelated content on social media in the wake of the West Bengal Assembly election results, as misleading videos and photos claiming to show post-poll violence in the city spread rapidly online. The force said it is actively monitoring social media platforms and has already initiated action against those attempting to disturb public peace.
What Kolkata Police Said
In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), Kolkata Police stated:
Point of View
And the police's public monitoring announcement is partly deterrence, partly damage control. The more significant story, however, is institutional: with a new government incoming and Mamata Banerjee yet to resign despite losing her own seat, West Bengal is in an unusually delicate interregnum where law enforcement credibility will be tested on multiple fronts simultaneously.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kolkata Police issue a warning about social media posts after the West Bengal election results?
Kolkata Police issued the warning on 5 May after several fake videos and photos, falsely linked to Kolkata, began circulating online claiming post-poll violence in the city. The force said the situation is fully under control and urged citizens not to share unverified content.
What were the West Bengal Assembly election results?
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 207 seats in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly, ending over 15 years of Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule. TMC's tally fell from 215 seats in 2021 to 80.
Did Mamata Banerjee lose her seat in the West Bengal elections?
Yes, outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost from the Bhabanipur constituency. As of Tuesday, 5 May, she had not tendered her resignation as Chief Minister despite her party's electoral defeat.
What legal action can be taken for sharing fake posts about the West Bengal election results?
Kolkata Police stated that strict legal action is being taken against those spreading misinformation and attempting to disturb public peace. This can include provisions under IT laws and sections related to inciting unrest, though the police did not specify exact charges in their public statement.
What is the current security situation in Kolkata after the Bengal election results?
Kolkata Police confirmed that the situation in the city is fully under control. Security outside outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence at 30B, Harish Chatterjee Street was reduced on Tuesday morning, with only a few policemen stationed there.
