ECI Replaces West Bengal’s Acting DGP and Kolkata Police Commissioner Ahead of Assembly Polls

Kolkata, March 2026 : The Election Commission of India on Monday ordered a major reshuffle of senior police officials in West Bengal, replacing the state’s acting Director General of Police (DGP) and the Commissioner of Kolkata Police as part of measures aimed at ensuring free and fair elections.

According to the Commission’s directive, Peeyush Pandey has been replaced as the acting DGP by Siddh Nath Gupta, who will now head the state police force. Pandey had been appointed to the position earlier this year.

Similarly, the Commission has replaced Supratim Sarkar with Ajay Kumar Nand as the new Commissioner of Kolkata Police. Both Pandey and Sarkar had assumed their roles on January 30 before the Election Commission stepped in with the latest administrative changes.

The Commission also ordered the removal of Vineet Kumar Goyal from the post of Director General (Law and Order). He has been replaced by Ajay Mukud Ranade, who will serve as Additional Director General (Law and Order).

Goyal had earlier served as the Commissioner of Kolkata Police but was removed from that position after his name surfaced in connection with controversy surrounding the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024. The incident, which occurred within the hospital premises, had sparked widespread public outrage and intense scrutiny of law enforcement authorities.

In another key appointment, the Commission posted Natarajan Ramesh Babu as Director General of Correctional Services in the state.

The administrative overhaul comes shortly after Gyanesh Kumar announced the schedule for the upcoming elections and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that the polls in West Bengal are conducted peacefully and without violence.

As part of its preparations, the Election Commission has also ordered the transfer of senior bureaucrats in the state administration. On Sunday night, it directed that Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena be relieved of any election-related responsibilities.

Following these orders, Dushyant Nariala has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary, replacing Chakraborty. Meanwhile, Shanghamitra Ghosh has taken over as the state’s Home Secretary in place of Meena.

The changes in the administrative and police leadership are part of the Commission’s broader strategy to maintain neutrality and strengthen confidence in the electoral process ahead of the polls.

Elections in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases, scheduled for April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.