The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the replacement of officers-in-charge (OCs) at three police stations in Kolkata. This includes the police station overseeing the official residence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The transfers of these inspector-rank police officers occur shortly before the Assembly constituencies in Kolkata go to polls on April 29.
One of the affected OCs is Utpal Ghosh, the OC of Kalighat Police Station, responsible for the Chief Minister’s official residence. Ghosh has been replaced by Gautam Das, previously serving in the Special Branch of Kolkata Police. Additionally, the ECI has ordered the transfer of the additional OC of Kalighat Police Station, Uttam Paik, along with changes at Alipore and Ultadanga Women’s Police Stations.
The new OC of Alipore Police Station is Subrata Pandey, while Chameli Mukherjee takes over as the OC of Ultadanga Women’s Police Station. Notably, the transfers at Kalighat Police Station hold significance due to its jurisdiction over the Chief Minister’s residence and its role in the high-profile Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, where Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari are contesting.
