Acting on a report from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the Commission ordered immediate suspension and disciplinary proceedings against DC-II (South Division) Siddartha Dutta, Alipore OC Priyankar Chakraborty, Additional OC Chandi Charan Banerjee and Sergeant Saurabh Chatterjee.
“The Commission has agreed to the proposal and directs that suspension and disciplinary proceedings be initiated immediately,” the ECI said, setting an 11 am deadline on April 5 for compliance. It also asked the state to submit proposals to fill the resultant vacancies in key police posts.
NIA probe gathers pace
The National Investigation Agency continued its probe into the Malda incident for the second day, collecting video evidence, speaking to shopkeepers and visiting nearby villages to reconstruct the sequence of events. The agency is expected to submit a preliminary report to the Supreme Court next week and may question those already arrested.
Sources said raids were conducted late at night in parts of Malda. The NIA team also visited the District Magistrate’s office, with lapses by the district administration and police coming under scrutiny.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Police arrested Hafijul Molla Pradhan of Deuli I Gram Panchayat in Jibantala for alleged hate speech.In another move, the ECI directed former Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar to proceed on deputation as police observer in poll-bound Tamil Nadu. However, Sarkar has sought relief from the assignment citing medical grounds, sources said.
EC expands poll infrastructure
The ECI has approved the creation of 4,660 auxiliary polling stations in areas where voter strength exceeds 1,200, and the relocation of 321 polling stations for voter convenience. The total number of polling stations in West Bengal, including auxiliary booths, now stands at 85,379.
