West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Grants Police ‘Free Hand’ to Tackle Crimes Against Women

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced in the Assembly on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, that the state police force has been granted a "free hand" to address crimes against women. Speaking during a debate on the budgetary demands of the Home and Hill Affairs Department, the Chief Minister stated that officers do not need to wait for instructions from higher authorities to take prompt action in such cases.

The Chief Minister assured the Assembly that the state government will take strict measures within the legal framework to curb violence against women and ensure capital punishment for perpetrators. He emphasized that his administration would support police officers who take decisive action under the law.

Recent Incidents and Government Response

The Chief Minister's remarks follow recent controversy surrounding the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur on July 5. On July 8, a key accused in the case was shot dead during a police encounter. The incident drew criticism from political rivals, who had previously targeted the ruling party over the initial crime and subsequent violence. Following the discovery of the minor's body, an angry mob lynched a 48-year-old man. Police have arrested nearly 50 people in connection with the mob violence.

Addressing past controversies, Chief Minister Adhikari contrasted his administration's actions with those of the previous government. He criticized former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her past remarks regarding incidents in Kamduni, Barasat, and Maynagudi, as well as the handling of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital case.

He stated that his government is actively working to deliver justice to the RG Kar victim, noting that three senior IPS officers have been suspended for mishandling the case, and the medical license of the hospital's former superintendent, Sandip Ghosh, has been cancelled.

Recruitment and Infrastructure Reforms

During his address, the Chief Minister announced a series of reforms aimed at upgrading the state's police force. The government plans to hire 20,000 police constables before the upcoming Durga Puja festival, with an additional 16,000 recruitments planned for the next phase.

To improve emergency response times, the Home Department will allocate additional funds to equip every police station with three to four extra emergency vehicles. The initiative aims to reduce the average police response time from 12 minutes to 6 minutes, drawing a comparison to response times in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, a dedicated women's desk will be established at every police station.

The government will also launch a special police helpline, which will include a dedicated line to report the illegal smuggling of coal, sand, and animals.

Criticism of Civic Volunteers and Past Violence

Chief Minister Adhikari criticized the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration for its management of the police force, alleging that the party utilized police personnel for political purposes. He questioned the large-scale appointment of civic volunteers despite the existence of more than 43,000 vacancies for regular constables.

According to the Chief Minister, these civic volunteers lacked proper eligibility and training, and were instead used to extort citizens and serve political figures to secure contract extensions.

The Chief Minister also raised the issue of post-poll violence following the 2021 Assembly elections, during which he defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram by over 1,900 votes. He alleged that TMC supporters threw bricks at him on the day of his victory. He stated that 56 people were killed within three days of the 2021 election results, and at least 1.10 lakh young men fled the state, leading to the creation of 355 shelter homes. He added that more than 300 women were subjected to sexual assault, molestation, or public humiliation during the unrest.

The Chief Minister announced that between 2021 and 2024, a total of 1,955 FIRs related to post-poll violence were registered, resulting in 2,404 arrests, including 420 history-sheeters. He pledged that several cases previously closed without proper investigation would be reopened.