A video of Uttar Pradesh IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma issuing a stern warning against alleged voter intimidation in West Bengal surfaced on social media on Monday, with barely 48 hours left for the second phase of polling. Sharma, who has been appointed as a police observer in South 24 Parganas district, took on-ground action following complaints that voters were being threatened in the Falta Assembly constituency.
Joint Operation and Strong Message
Acting on the inputs, Sharma led a joint operation involving personnel from the SSB, Flying Surveillance Team (FST), and Quick Reaction Team (QRT) to conduct inspections and raids in the area. During his visit, he issued a strong message to those allegedly influencing voters. “If people are being threatened repeatedly, we will take strict action. Don’t complain later,” he was heard saying in the viral video. The warning was reportedly directed at supporters of Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan, who has been accused by locals of intimidation. Khan, considered close to TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, has been at the centre of controversy.
Resistance and Security Irregularities
Sources said Sharma faced initial resistance while trying to locate Khan’s residence, as local residents and even police personnel were reluctant to provide details, allegedly due to fear. However, his team eventually identified the location after a search operation. Sharma also found irregularities in security deployment. While Khan is entitled to ‘Y-category’ security with 10 personnel, 14 policemen were found stationed at his residence. Sharma issued a notice to the local Superintendent of Police seeking an explanation for the additional deployment of policemen.
The Election Commission has posted 11 police observers, including Sharma, to ensure free and fair polling in West Bengal. Sharma, a 2011-batch IPS officer, has built a reputation for aggressive policing. A dental surgeon by training, he later joined the police service and has handled several districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Jaunpur, Shamli, Rampur, and Hathras. Currently posted as Assistant Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) in Prayagraj, he is credited with leading over 500 police encounters, including a record 136 encounters in just 22 months during his tenure as Superintendent of Police in Jaunpur.
Political Reactions
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of sending its “tested agents” under the guise of officials as observers in West Bengal. In a post on X, Akhilesh claimed that the BJP had deployed individuals in Bengal who were earlier “tested” in districts like Rampur and Sambhal. “Such tactics will not work. Didi is there and will remain,” he said, expressing confidence in West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The SP leader further alleged that these individuals were acting as “agents of BJP’s agenda” and warned of strict action in the future. “At the right time, there will be a deep investigation into their alleged criminal activities, and strict punitive action will follow,” he wrote. He also accused them of functioning as “unregistered underground members posing as officials” and asserted that they would be tracked down and held accountable. “They will neither be allowed to escape nor go underground. They will be brought out and punished under the law. Crimes against democracy will not be forgiven,” the SP chief added.
