The Election Commission of India (ECI) has transferred a total of 184 inspector-ranking police officers in West Bengal during the ongoing two-phase Assembly polls in the state. Out of these officers, 153 are from the West Bengal Police, while the remaining 31 are from the Kolkata Police. Most of them hold positions as inspectors-in-charge or officers-in-charge at various police stations.
Earlier on the same day, the ECI had also directed the transfer of 83 Block Development Officers (BDOs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) in West Bengal. Since the announcement of the polling schedule on March 15, the Commission has been issuing transfer orders for officials at different levels, starting from top-ranking bureaucrats to mid-level officers.
The transfer process has now reached the lower administrative levels, involving Additional District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Officers, Block Development Officers, and various ranks in the police administration. The Trinamool Congress leadership, led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has criticized these transfers, alleging political influence behind the large-scale movements of officials.
A public interest litigation challenging the transfers ordered by the ECI was recently heard at the Calcutta High Court, with the judgement pending. The Assembly polls in West Bengal are divided into two phases, scheduled for April 23 and April 29, covering a total of 294 constituencies. The election results are set to be announced on May 4.
