WB polls: Leadership changes at Kolkata police station after officer’s social media post

PTI, May 3, 2026, Kolkata: The Kolkata Police on Sunday deputed an official of its Bhangar division as the officer in charge (OC) of the Kalighat police station in place of Chameli Mukhopadhyay, who only a day ago replaced Gautam Das, suspended for his controversial social media post.

The matter assumed political significance ahead of the counting of votes in the hotly contested West Bengal Assembly polls, especially because Kalighat is the backyard of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

According to the order signed by Kolkata Police chief Ajay Nanda, additional officer in charge, Balai Bag, of the Polerhat Police Station under the Bhangar Division, has been appointed as the new OC of Kalighat Police Station, and asked to take over the charge immediately.

On the other hand, Chameli Mukhopadhyay has been transferred to the Ultadanga Women Police Station under the Kolkata Police’s Eastern Suburban Division with immediate effect, the order showed.

She was deputed as the Kalighat Police Station’s officer-in-charge on deputation on May 2 after its OC Gautam Das was suspended, the official said.

Das was suspended after the ruling Trinamool Congress lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging the officer had posted an “objectionable” photo of himself brandishing a firearm on social media in violation of the service rules.

The post of officer in charge at the Kaligaht police station has seen multiple transfers this election season.

The poll panel had earlier transferred Kalighat OC Utpal Ghosh ahead of the second phase of polling, appointing Das in his place barely a month ago.

The ruling party had sought the EC’s intervention after its state vice-president, Joyprakash Majumdar, shared on X a photograph of Das in uniform holding the gun with a caption, “ready for new responsibility.”

Terming the post inappropriate, Majumdar said, “This image is not only uncomfortable but also objectionable in the eyes of the law. It clearly shows him pointing a modern firearm at someone.”

He further alleged that the social media post violated the Kolkata Police’s social media guidelines as well as the Central government’s directives.

“No police officer on duty is allowed to post pictures in uniform on social media. Posting threatening or provocative captions or images is strictly prohibited,” Majumdar said.

In his complaint, Majumdar also raised questions about whether the firearm seen in the image was officially allotted to the officer and whether he was authorised or trained to use it.

“Such posts can be perceived as a threat to the general public,” Majumdar added, demanding strict action in the matter.

TMC sources said letters highlighting the issue were sent to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, and Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda.