The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday ordered the transfer of four senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in West Bengal, including the state’s Director General of Police and the Commissioner of Kolkata Police, as part of measures to ensure free and peaceful Assembly elections.
The poll panel appointed Siddh Nath Gupta, a 1992-batch IPS officer, as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal, replacing Peeyush Pandey. In another significant change, Ajay Kumar Nand has been named the new Commissioner of Kolkata Police, replacing Supratim Sarkar.
According to the Commission’s directive, the changes must be implemented immediately, and a compliance report must be submitted to the central poll panel by 3 pm on Monday.
The administrative reshuffle comes a day after the Election Commission announced that the West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
The poll body had already transferred the state’s Chief Secretary and Home Secretary late Sunday night, signalling its intent to tighten administrative oversight ahead of the elections.
Siddh Nath Gupta (IPS -1992) posted as DG & IGP, Govt. of West Bengal (In-charge)
Ajay Kumar Nand (IPS -1996) posted as Commissioner, Kolkata Police
Natarajan Ramesh Babu (IPS -1991) posted as DG, Correctional Services
Ajay Mukund Ranade (IPS -1995) be posted as ADG & IGP (Law &… pic.twitter.com/niOjNsHmtU— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026
Speaking after the poll schedule announcement, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had assured that the upcoming elections in the state would be conducted in a peaceful and violence-free environment.
“In pursuance of this objective, the ECI has appointed and transferred senior police officials in the state, including the DGP of the state police and the Commissioner of Kolkata Police,” a senior Election Commission official said.
The Commission’s latest moves are seen as part of its broader strategy to strengthen law-and-order management and ensure a level playing field during the election process.
