EC Removes Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Ahead of Crucial Assembly Election
In a significant development just under two weeks before the assembly election in the Salt Lake-New Town-Rajarhat constituency, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has removed Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Murlidhar Sharma from his position. The ECI has appointed IPS officer Tripurari Atharva as the new Commissioner of Police for the Bidhannagar jurisdiction, which includes the politically sensitive Salt Lake area.
Swift Appointment and Previous Role of New Commissioner
Tripurari Atharva was previously serving as the director of the Economic Offences Wing before this sudden appointment. His elevation to the crucial police commissioner role comes at a critical juncture, with election preparations in full swing and security arrangements being paramount.
Confusion Over Sharma's Transfer and Rapid Reversal
The ECI had initially directed Murlidhar Sharma to report to Tamil Nadu as an election observer, along with several other senior police officers from West Bengal. However, in an unusual move, the commission reversed this transfer order within just 24 hours, creating confusion about Sharma's status before ultimately removing him from the Bidhannagar commissioner position entirely.
Background of Removed Commissioner and Previous Posting
Murlidhar Sharma was brought to Salt Lake as police commissioner following the December 2025 Salt Lake Stadium incident involving global football superstar Lionel Messi. Prior to his Salt Lake posting, Sharma had served as the Barrackpore police commissioner, bringing experience in urban policing to the Bidhannagar area.
Recent Political Arrest Adds Context to Police Shakeup
This police leadership change comes just days after former Trinamool Congress councillor Nirmal Dutta was arrested in Salt Lake last Wednesday. According to police reports, Dutta was apprehended for allegedly issuing veiled threats to voters in the constituency. He was produced before the Bidhannagar sub-divisional court, which rejected his bail application and remanded him in judicial custody until April 24.
Unprecedented Scale of Transfers During Bengal Polls
This latest transfer brings the total number of officer transfers and suspensions in West Bengal to over 500 during this election cycle, marking the largest such administrative reshuffle ever witnessed during an assembly poll in the state's history. The Election Commission has been particularly active in reassigning officials to ensure free and fair elections.
The timing of this police leadership change, occurring so close to voting day in a key constituency, underscores the Election Commission's heightened vigilance during what promises to be a closely contested assembly election in West Bengal. With security concerns paramount and political tensions running high, the appointment of a new police commissioner represents a significant intervention in the electoral process.
