West Bengal: PIL filed in Calcutta High Court against IAS, IPS reshuffle ahead of elections

A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Calcutta High Court challenging the recent reshuffle of IAS and IPS officers in West Bengal, carried out under the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The petition has been filed by advocate Arka Kumar Nag on behalf of TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee.

The PIL questions the legality and timing of the large scale administrative changes implemented in March 2026, arguing that the reshuffle lacks adequate justification and may impact governance.

Background of the reshuffle

The Election Commission had ordered multiple rounds of transfers in the state to ensure neutrality and fair conduct of upcoming elections. These changes included the replacement of key positions such as the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Principal Secretary Home, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner.

Several senior officers, including former DGP Peeyush Pandey, were moved out and replaced with officers from different batches or states. Around 15 IPS officers saw their “rehabilitation” postings cancelled and were redeployed outside West Bengal. Additionally, 13 IAS officers were reassigned as District Magistrates cum District Election Officers, along with transfers of IPS officers in DIG level roles.

Political response

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly opposed the reshuffle, calling it arbitrary and describing it as political interference of the highest order. She has written to the Chief Election Commissioner alleging that the decisions were selective and lacked any clear grounds or misconduct charges against the officers concerned.

TMC leaders, including Kalyan Banerjee, have also criticised the move, alleging bias and questioning the intent behind the transfers. The party has maintained that the affected officers are likely to return to their positions after the election process concludes.

What the PIL challenges

The PIL specifically contests the ECI directed transfers of IAS and IPS officials, raising concerns over their scale and rationale. The matter is expected to be taken up by the Calcutta High Court in the coming days.

The case adds a legal dimension to the ongoing political confrontation between the state government and the Election Commission over administrative control during the election period.