5 police officers suspended, SP given ultimatum... Big action by Election Commission in West Bengal, why did the axe fall?

West Bengal Elections 2026: The first phase of voting has been completed in West Bengal. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has suspended 5 police officers. Additionally, the Superintendent of Police has been warned. The Election Commission has initiated disciplinary action against them for serious misconduct and failure to remain neutral during the 2026 assembly elections. These officers have been accused of serious misconduct and bias.

Action taken against 5 officers

According to an official statement sent to the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, the Commission has directed the immediate suspension of Diamond Harbour Additional Superintendent of Police Sandeep Garai, Diamond Harbour SDPO Sajal Mandal, Diamond Harbour Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Mousam Chakraborty, Falta Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Ajay Bag, and Usti Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shubhechha Bag.

Why was action taken?

The Commission cited serious misconduct and failure to remain neutral as the reason for the action. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against all five officers. The poll panel has also issued a warning to Diamond Harbour Superintendent of Police Ishani Pal for alleged failure to ensure discipline and impartiality among her subordinate officers in election-related sensitive matters. The Commission has directed that the action be implemented immediately and a compliance report be submitted.

How much voting took place in the first phase

In the first phase of elections in West Bengal, over 90 percent voting was recorded in several districts. South Dinajpur led with 94.85%, followed by Cooch Behar at 94.54%, Birbhum at 93.70%, Jalpaiguri at 93.23%, and Murshidabad at 92.93%. These figures show consistently high voter participation across the state, with all major districts comfortably above the 90% mark. The high turnout figures indicate that election preparations were in full swing as voting concluded under tight security arrangements in the constituencies.

Diamond Harbour

Diamond Harbour is a historic port town located on the Hooghly River in West Bengal, India, about 50 kilometers south of Kolkata. Its name likely originated from the 17th-century Portuguese and British trading activities, as it was a key location for the diamond trade and later served as a strategic anchorage for the British East India Company. Today, it is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic river views, colonial-era remnants, and the nearby Ganga Sagar island.

Falta

Falta is a town in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India, located near the banks of the Hooghly River. Historically, it gained prominence as the site of the “Falta Settlement,” a short-lived British colonial experiment in the late 18th century where exiled convicts were sent for agricultural labor. Today, it is primarily known for its role in regional trade and as a transit point for river transport.

Usti

Usti, often referring to Ústí nad Labem in the Czech Republic, is a historic city situated at the confluence of the Bílina and Elbe rivers. Its origins date back to the 10th century, and it became a significant medieval trading and mining center, later industrializing heavily in the 19th century. The city features landmarks like the Gothic Střekov Castle and a notable neo-Gothic church, reflecting its layered history.
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Diamond Harbour

Diamond Harbour is a small town and port located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River in West Bengal, India, about 50 kilometers south of Kolkata. Historically, it served as a strategic trading post for the British East India Company, who established a fort and factory there in the 18th century to oversee river traffic and trade. Its name is believed to derive from the diamond-shaped bastions of the old fort, though no actual diamonds were ever found there.

Falta

Falta is a town in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India, located near the banks of the Hooghly River. Historically, it gained prominence in the early 19th century as the site of the Falta Settlement, a British trading post established to facilitate commerce and navigation. Today, it is known for its cultural heritage and as a growing residential area within the Kolkata metropolitan region.

Usti

Usti, also known as Ústí nad Labem, is a city in the northwest Czech Republic situated at the confluence of the Elbe and Bílina rivers. Its history dates back to the 10th century, and it grew into an important industrial and railway hub during the 19th century, particularly known for chemical and mining industries. The city features a mix of historic landmarks, such as the Gothic Střekov Castle, alongside modern architecture shaped by post-war reconstruction.

Hooghly River

The Hooghly River, a distributary of the Ganges in West Bengal, India, has been a vital waterway for centuries, serving as a major trade route for European colonial powers like the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British. Its banks are home to historic cities like Kolkata and the former French colony of Chandannagar, with the river playing a key role in the region’s economic and cultural development during the colonial era. Today, it remains an important commercial artery and a site of religious significance, with the iconic Howrah Bridge spanning its waters.

Ganga Sagar island

Ganga Sagar island, located in the Bay of Bengal at the mouth of the Hooghly River, is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site where the Ganges River is believed to meet the sea. According to legend, it is the place where King Sagar’s 60,000 sons were liberated by the touch of the Ganges, leading to the annual Gangasagar Mela festival. This event, held on Makar Sankranti, draws millions of devotees who bathe in the sacred waters to cleanse their sins.

Střekov Castle

Střekov Castle is a 14th-century Gothic fortress perched on a steep cliff overlooking the Elbe River in Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic. Built by King John of Bohemia, it served as a strategic stronghold to protect trade routes and collect tolls, later gaining fame as a romantic ruin that inspired artists like Richard Wagner. Despite suffering damage during the Thirty Years’ War, the castle remains a well-preserved landmark and popular tourist destination today.

South 24 Parganas district

South 24 Parganas is a district in the Indian state of West Bengal, located in the southern part of the Ganges Delta. Historically, it was part of the larger 24 Parganas district created by the British East India Company after the Battle of Plassey in 1757, and it was later divided in 1986. The district is known for its rich cultural heritage, including the Sundarbans mangrove forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its diverse ecosystems and communities.

Elbe rivers

The Elbe River is one of Central Europe’s major waterways, flowing from the Krkonoše Mountains in the Czech Republic through Germany to the North Sea. Historically, it has served as a crucial trade route and cultural boundary, with cities like Dresden and Hamburg flourishing along its banks. The river also witnessed significant events, such as the symbolic “Elbe Day” in 1945, when American and Soviet forces met near Torgau during World War II.