Election Commission suspends five police officers over misconduct in West Bengal polls

​New Delhi, April 25, 2026​:-The Election Commission of India has ordered the immediate suspension of five police officers and the initiation of disciplinary proceedings following reports of serious misconduct and a failure to maintain neutrality during the ongoing West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2026.

According to an official directive issued from Nirvachan Sadan, the Commission took this decision after reviewing facts presented by the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal regarding the Diamond Harbour Police District.​

The officers placed under suspension include Sandip Garai, Additional SP of Diamond Harbour; Sajal Mondal, SDPO of Diamond Harbour; Mausam Chakraborty, Inspector in Charge of Diamond Harbour Police Station; Ajay Bag, Inspector in Charge of Falta Police Station; and Subhechha Bag, Officer in Charge of Usthi Police Station.

In addition to the suspensions, the Commission has directed that a formal report regarding Sandip Garai be forwarded to his cadre controlling authority within the Ministry of Home Affairs.​The directive also included a formal warning for Dr. Ishani Pal, the Superintendent of Police for Diamond Harbour, for failing to ensure discipline and fairness among her subordinates in a sensitive electoral environment.

The Election Commission mandated that these orders be implemented with immediate effect, requiring the West Bengal Chief Secretary to submit a compliance report by 11:00 AM on April 25, 2026. Copies of the order have been dispatched to the Chief Electoral Officer and the Director General of Police of West Bengal for swift execution.