Bengal to tweak law to recover violence, property damage costs
Times of India | 26 June 2026
Kolkata: The Bengal assembly is set to amend the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act, 1972, to empower the administration to recover compensation from people involved in violence and damage to public or private property, including those accused of inciting, funding, aiding or sheltering offenders.
The amendment, likely to be tabled next week, also proposes setting up a claims commission to assess losses and award compensation for damage caused during incidents that disturb public order.
Under the proposed changes, district magistrates and police commissioners will review incidents involving violence and property damage and prepare reports estimating losses, supported by relevant documents. They will also submit quarterly reports to the state govt detailing claims filed, compensation awarded and recoveries made under the law.
The claims commission will have the powers of a civil court and will be headed by a former district judge. It will comprise two or more members and will decide compensation claims relating to damage to public and private property.
The commission will be empowered to assess losses, award compensation and appoint valuers, if required, to estimate the extent of damage. Claims must be filed within three years of an incident.
Once compensation is awarded, the commission may issue a certificate to the collector for recovery of the amount as arrears of land revenue under the Bengal Public Demands Recovery Act, 1913.
The proposed amendment follows CM Suvendu Adhikari’s announcement after taking office that those involved in riots, arson, looting, use of explosives and other acts disrupting public order would face stringent action.
Adhikari had expressed concern over the blockade of a national highway at Beldanga in Murshidabad in Jan, which disrupted public life for two days, and had also referred to the attack on judicial officers at Mothabari in Malda while speaking about the need for stricter measures to maintain public order.
The proposed law also allows proceedings to continue ex parte if an accused person fails to appear despite notice. Parties will be entitled to legal representation before the commission.