Big Police Shake-Up In West Bengal Before Assembly Polls, EC Transfers 12 SPs, 1 DC

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 14:20 IST

After the police reshuffle, the EC said it would leave no stone unturned to ensure transparent, fear-free, violence-free and inducement-free elections in the state.

Ahead of elections, the Election Commission of India has carried out a major reshuffle of police officers in West Bengal. The Commission transferred 12 Superintendents of Police (SP) and one Deputy Commissioner (DC) across multiple districts. It directed that the transfers be implemented immediately.

New Superintendents of Police have been appointed in districts including Barasat, Cooch Behar, Birbhum, Hooghly and Malda. Changes have also been made in Murshidabad, Diamond Harbour, Purba Medinipur and Paschim Medinipur.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, (IPS -1997) be posted as ADG & IGP, South Bengal Region

Jayaraman, (IPS -1997) be posted as ADG & IGP, North Bengal Region

Pranav Kumar, (IPS -2003) be posted as Commissioner of Police, Asansol-Durgapur

Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi, (IPS -2005) be posted as Commissioner of Police, Howrah

Amit Kumar Singh, (IPS -2009) be posted as Commissioner of Police, Barrackpore

Sunil Kumar Yadav, (IPS -2009) be posted as Commissioner of Police, Chandannagar

A new Deputy Commissioner has been appointed for the Central Division of Kolkata. All officers have been asked to submit their joining reports by 11.00 AM on March 18.

The Commission also said that transferred officers will not be assigned any election-related duties until the completion of the polls.

On transfer of Police Commissioners, SPs, DMs and other officials in West Bengal, the CEC said the Election Commission will leave no stone unturned for holding transparent, fear-free, violence-free and inducement-free elections.

Senior-level appointments

After reviewing poll preparedness, on Monday several senior officers were given new postings.

Siddh Nath Gupta (IPS 1992) has been appointed DG & IGP (In-charge), West Bengal

Natarajan Ramesh Babu (IPS 1991) has been appointed DG, Correctional Services

Ajay Mukund Ranade (IPS 1995) has been appointed ADG & IGP (Law & Order), replacing Vinit Goyal

Ajay Kumar Nand (IPS 1996) has been appointed Commissioner, Kolkata Police

Vinit Goyal was the Kolkata Police Commissioner during the RG Kar doctor rape and murder case and was removed from the post following protests.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the Commission is committed to holding transparent, free of fear, violence-free and inducement-free elections.

The 2026 Assembly election in Bengal will take place in two phases – on April 23 and April 29 – while counting of votes will be held on May 4.

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