Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr 25: The Election Commission of India has suspended five police officials, including an IPS officer, in South 24 Parganas district over alleged serious misconduct and failure to maintain neutrality during election duty, days ahead of the second phase of West Bengal Assembly polls.

The suspended officials include Additional Superintendent of Police Sandip Garai, SDPO Sajal Mondal, Diamond Harbour police station Inspector-in-Charge Mausam Chakraborty, Falta police station IC Ajay Bag, and Usthi police station officer-in-charge Subhechchha Bag.

The Election Commission also issued a warning to Diamond Harbour Superintendent of Police Ishnani Pal for allegedly failing to ensure discipline and fairness among subordinate officers in sensitive election matters.

In a communication to West Bengal Chief Secretary D Nariel, the Commission directed immediate suspension of the officials and initiation of disciplinary proceedings.

Sources said the officers had earlier been cautioned multiple times over alleged partisan conduct during election duties in the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee.

Officials said the proposal for suspension of IPS officer Sandip Garai has also been forwarded to the Union Home Ministry as it pertains to all-India service matters.

In a separate action, the poll body also suspended Hingalganj police station officer-in-charge Sandip Sarkar in North 24 Parganas on similar allegations.

The move has triggered political reaction, with the ruling Trinamool Congress accusing the Election Commission of acting unilaterally in transferring and disciplining officials without consulting the state government.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has earlier written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar objecting to abrupt transfers of bureaucrats and police officers, alleging they were affecting administrative functioning.