'Tell Him To Stay In Line': UP 'Encounter Specialist' Appointed As Bengal Poll Observer Triggers Row

Last Updated:April 27, 2026, 22:14 IST

The row erupted after Sharma was seen issuing stern instructions to police officers about TMC leader Jehangir Khan, whose supporters had reportedly been threatening the cops.

The appointment of Ajay Pal Sharma, a well-known Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, as a poll observer in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas has added a new controversy ahead of the crucial second phase of polling in the state.

The row erupted after Sharma, described as an encounter specialist, was seen issuing stern instructions to police officers about TMC leader Jehangir Khan, a close aide of Abhishek Banerjee, after reports surfaced that Khan’s supporters were threatening the cops in the area.

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“Everyone in the area should clearly understand that if anyone indulges in mischief, they will be dealt with strictly according to the law. If we receive any information that someone has tried to create trouble or harass anyone, we will take firm action," he told police officers and nearby civilians," the police officer was heard saying in a viral video.

Addressing Jehangir’s family members, Sharma said, “Tell him to stay in line. There have been repeated reports that his associates are issuing threats—we will deal with it firmly. Don’t regret it later."

The video went viral, drawing sharp condemnation from TMC and other Opposition leaders. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav implied that the BJP was sending its “tested agents" in Bengal as observers to influence the outcome of the election.

“At the right time, a deep investigation will be conducted into all the criminal deeds of these kinds of ‘agents of agendas’ from the BJP and their associates, and there will also be extremely strict punitive action. All these are unregistered underground members posing as officers," he said.

TMC leader Riju Datta called Sharma a “corrupt" officer and accused him of visiting the homes of influential leaders and threatening their people. The party also highlighted Sharma’s past record, claiming that he was named in a cash-for-postings scandal and also booked for criminal breach of trust, disappearance of evidence and criminal conspiracy.

“This is the kind of “impartial" police observer the Election Commission is handpicking for Bengal. Apparently, a corrupt and criminal track record has now become the primary qualification for the job," the AITC said on X.

The party also warned him against taking matters into his hands, asserting that Bengal “is no Uttar Pradesh."

BJP Hits Back

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended Sharma, saying he was there to make the Bengal election the most “free and fair in 50 years".

“Ajay Pal Sharma, the encounter specialist and Singham of UP police, is deployed as police observer of South 24 Parganas. He just read the riot act to Bhaipo’s henchman Jehangir Khan’s family members. Nobody can stop this election from being the most free and fair election in 50 years and anyone who dares to act oversmart will be taught a lesson," the party’s West Bengal unit said in a post on X.

BJP leader Amit Malviya said, “He (Sharma) wasted no time in setting the tone, firmly reading the riot act to the family members of Abhishek Banerjee’s close aide, Jehangir Khan. The message is loud and clear: the era of intimidation and impunity is over."

Who Is Ajay Pal Sharma?

Sharma is a 2011-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh Police cadre and a native of Ludhiana, who is known for his tough and no-nonsense policing style. He is described as “Singham" of the force, citing his experience in several high-risk operations throughout his career.

His deployment came as the Election Commission is anticipating a far more intense contest in the upcoming phase, particularly in South 24 Parganas, which is the home turf of TMC’s second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee.

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