Bhowanipore unrest: Two DCs get notice, FIRs filed
The Statesman | 4 April 2026
Two senior police officers have been served show-cause notices following Thursday’s unrest during the nomination filing of BJP’s Bhowanipore candidate Suvendu Adhikari, even as multiple FIRs have been registered and an investigation initiated.
According to police sources, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of RF-II and the DC in charge of security arrangements in front of the nomination venue, have been asked to explain lapses in handling the situation. The action follows allegations of inadequate crowd control and failure to prevent escalation during the high-profile political programme. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari filed his nomination as the BJP candidate from Bhowanipore on Thursday.
Ahead of the submission, a roadshow was held in the constituency, attended by Union home minister Amit Shah, drawing a large gathering of supporters. Tension flared during the programme amid sloganeering and counter-sloganeering, leading to a volatile situation in parts of the area. Following the incident, Kolkata Police registered multiple cases under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, citing unlawful assembly, violation of administrative directives, and disruption of public order. Police said one complaint was lodged at Kalighat police station, while two others were filed at Alipore police station.
Based on these complaints, suo motu FIRs have also been initiated. Officials of the Election Commission separately lodged a complaint at Alipore police station, prompting further legal action. The ECI took a serious view of the developments and conveyed a stern message to the state administration. During a meeting held on Thursday, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar reportedly reprimanded Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda over the handling of the situation. Questioning the failure to regulate gatherings, the Commission is learnt to have expressed concern over multiple assemblies being allowed simultaneously in sensitive areas. The BJP has claimed that prior permission had been obtained for its programme, while alleging that no such approval had been granted for rival gatherings.
The police, however, have initiated a probe to ascertain the sequence of events and fix accountability.