Kolkata: Goutam Das, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kalighat Police Station, who was appointed by the Election Commission on April 25, was suspended on Saturday following a controversy over a now-deleted social media post. The post featured a photograph of Das in uniform aiming an INSAS assault rifle, which sparked strong protests from the Trinamool Congress.
Details of the Incident
The photograph was accompanied by the caption "ready for new assignment." Das, a Special Branch inspector, assumed the role of Kalighat OC on April 25, just four days before the Kolkata municipal polls. The Kolkata Police is investigating the matter and has found, prima facie, that Das violated Election Commission guidelines, the police's internal social media policy, and service rules. Additionally, he is accused of illegally handling the INSAS assault rifle.
Kalighat Police Station also covers parts of the Bhowanipore assembly constituency, adding to the sensitivity of the issue.
Trinamool Congress Complaint
The Trinamool Congress, which had been critical of Das for his alleged "partisan role," immediately approached the Election Commission and lodged a complaint with Police Commissioner Ajay Nand after the post appeared on social media. Party vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar wrote in his complaint that Bengal laws prohibit police officers on duty from taking photographs in uniform and posting them on social media. Central rules also forbid such open exhibition of arms, especially with a threatening caption, he said.
Majumdar further questioned whether the weapon was officially allotted to Das or if he was trained to use such sophisticated equipment. He alleged that the social media post was not only dangerous but also highly controversial, as it could be perceived as a direct threat to the general public.
Police Investigation
A senior Kolkata Police officer stated that inspectors posted as OCs or additional OCs in police stations are not issued INSAS rifles. While they can inspect the police station armoury where these firearms are stored, Das was photographed with one in the OC's chamber while in full uniform, which is illegal, the officer added.
The senior officer also noted that Das, a 2008 batch officer, has a history of making questionable social media posts. Even after deleting the "ready for next assignment" post, he made and deleted two more posts; in one, he referred to beating with a stick. Earlier, screenshots of a "Sindoor 2.5 in Bengal" post had also been circulated by several pro-Trinamool social media handles. Das has since removed all posts. Queries sent to Das and the Kolkata Police commissioner went unanswered.
New Appointment
Commissioner Nand, in an email to senior officers on Saturday after the issue came to light, merely stated that Chameli Mukherjee, OC of Ultadanga Women Police Station, has been appointed as the new Kalighat OC.
Previous Incidents
This is not the first instance this election season where Kolkata Police personnel have been suspended for making political statements in uniform on social media or attempting to influence voters. On April 28, constable Ramkrishna Kayal, a member of the 1st Battalion of Kolkata Armed Police, was suspended after a video on Facebook in which he reportedly criticized the Trinamool government. On April 18, Kolkata Police constable Sk Masud Karim of the Reserve Force was suspended for allegedly influencing voters.
