West Bengal CM Suspends IPS Officer, Four Policemen Over Past Incidents

KOLKATA, July 25, 2026 — West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced in the state Assembly on Saturday the immediate suspension of senior IPS officer Koteswar Rao alongside four police personnel. The executive order follows preliminary administrative inquiries into several controversial incidents during the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime. Addressing lawmakers, Chief Minister Adhikari stated that the state administration would maintain a policy of zero tolerance toward police excesses, civil rights violations, and actions that hurt public sentiment.

State Assembly Announcement and Specific Charges

According to the official statement made by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on the floor of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, the suspensions stem from four distinct high-profile incidents between 2021 and 2026:

• Kakdwip Idol Incident: IPS officer Koteswar Rao was placed under immediate suspension for his administrative handling of protests in Kakdwip, South 24 Parganas, where a revered idol was transported inside a police prison van, drawing severe public criticism.

• Kaliaganj Shooting Case: Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Moyazzem Hossain was suspended and faces a fresh First Information Report (FIR) regarding the April 2023 police shooting death of Rajbanshi youth Mrityunjay Barman during violence in Kaliaganj, Uttar Dinajpur.

• Harassment of Former Official: Former Burtolla police station officer-in-charge Subarna Dutta Chowdhury and investigating officer Sadhan Das were suspended for allegedly acting on political directives during the harassment of late IPS officer Pankaj Dutta.

• Krishnanagar Lathi-Charge: Inspector Amalendu Biswas was suspended, with formal departmental proceedings ordered over the alleged unprovoked lathi-charge on devotees during a Jagaddhatri idol immersion procession in Nadia district.

Broader Policy Focus and Administrative Context

The decision highlights a wider effort by the West Bengal administration to review cases of institutional misuse of power and restore public confidence in law enforcement bodies. Official records from the Home Department confirm that departmental inquiries have been initiated across all four cases, with senior officers assigned to oversee the probes.

Chief Minister Adhikari emphasized that holding government officials accountable remains central to institutional integrity. The state home department confirmed that legal, criminal, and administrative actions will proceed concurrently against the personnel involved.

Impact on Citizens, Law Enforcement, and Governance

The sweeping executive order carries several governance implications for West Bengal:

• Civil Accountability: Signals a framework where law enforcement personnel are subject to judicial and administrative scrutiny regardless of rank.

• Police Reforms: Re-evaluates standard operating procedures regarding crowd control during religious processions and public demonstrations.

• Public Confidence: Aims to reassure local communities, victims' families, and civic groups regarding the impartial investigation of police conduct.

Official Sources Section

According to official releases from the West Bengal Home Department, government communiques, and statements delivered in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly:

• The West Bengal state government has officially ordered the suspension of IPS officer Koteswar Rao and four police personnel with immediate effect.

• Departmental proceedings, criminal FIRs, and administrative reviews have been ordered into incidents spanning Kaliaganj, Kakdwip, Burtolla, and Krishnanagar.

Quote Section

"According to officials presenting the statement in the Assembly, the government is committed to maintaining accountability within the police service and ensuring that any past misuse of authority or violation of public trust is thoroughly investigated and penalized under the law."

Why It Matters

The suspension order establishes a strict precedent for police accountability and public administrative standards across West Bengal:

• Legal Oversight: Reopens past cases involving civil rights allegations to ensure formal judicial review.

• Police Conduct: Reinforces code-of-conduct guidelines regarding the handling of religious events and peaceful assemblies.

• Institutional Integrity: Sets administrative standards for addressing misconduct within state security forces.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Action Taken: IPS officer Koteswar Rao and four policemen suspended by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

• Primary Cause: Preliminary inquiries into past police excesses, fatal shootings, and controversial administrative actions.

• Personnel Involved: Includes IPS Koteswar Rao, ASI Moyazzem Hossain, Inspector Amalendu Biswas, Subarna Dutta Chowdhury, and Sadhan Das.

• Fresh Legal Steps: Departmental inquiries and new FIRs ordered in specific cases, including the 2023 Kaliaganj shooting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which IPS officer was suspended by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari?

IPS officer Koteswar Rao was suspended in connection with the administrative handling of the Kakdwip incident in South 24 Parganas.

What were the key incidents leading to these police suspensions?

The suspensions relate to the 2023 Kaliaganj shooting of Mrityunjay Barman, the harassment of former IPS officer Pankaj Dutta, a lathi-charge during a Jagaddhatri immersion in Krishnanagar, and the transport of an idol in a prison van in Kakdwip.

What actions are being taken against the suspended officers?

In addition to immediate suspension, the state government has ordered formal departmental proceedings, internal administrative reviews, and fresh FIRs where applicable.

Source: West Bengal Legislative Assembly Secretariat, West Bengal Police Directorate, Home Department, Government of West Bengal.