West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) stated that the police have been given a free hand to deal with cases of crimes against women, and officers do not need to wait for any instructions from higher authorities to act promptly.
His remarks come only weeks after a key accused in the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur on July 5 was shot dead during a police encounter on July 8. The incident also faced a backlash from BJP’s political rivals, who have already cornered the ruling party over the rape case and the following violence that erupted in the city after the minor’s body was found, leading to another 48-year-old man being lynched by the angry mob. The Police have so far arrested nearly 50 people in the incident.
“There was nothing called law and order during the previous regime. While tabling the Aparajita Bill, she (former CM Mamata Banerjee), in the Assembly, termed Kamduni as a minor incident. She said rape happens like influenza while describing Barasat’s incident. Maynagudi’s incident was of love affairs, and the parents of the RG Kar Hospital’s rape victim were offered ₹10 lakh if they wanted. It was the real face of women's safety. But our government has proven how it should be in this one case in Baruipur,” the CM said in the Assembly debate replying on the budgetary demands of the Home and Hill Affairs Department
He assured that the State will take strict actions within the framework of the law to stop violence against women. The capital punishments against the culprits will also be ensured. The CM also said that the government is putting in every effort to give justice to the RG Kar victim and therefore three senior IPS officers were already suspended for mishandling the case, while the superintendent of the hospital, Sandip Ghosh’s license was also cancelled.
“I have instructed the officials in every meeting that if anything happens to any girl or woman, they need not wait for anybody’s instructions. Do whatever is required under the law. The chief minister will protect you as a shield,” said Mr. Adhikari.
CM also announced a slew of reforms in the police force including the hiring of 20,000 constables before the upcoming Durga Puja, while 16,000 more are also in the pipeline. A special police helpline number, including a dedicated one for the illegal smuggling of coals, animals, sands etc will also be notified on Thursday.
The Home Department will also sanction an additional budget for three to four more emergency vehicle at every police station to reduce the average response time of the police to any case from current 12 minutes to 6 minutes like Uttar Pradesh, said CM. There will also be a women desk at every police station.
Mr. Adhikari also blamed the Trinamool Congress regime for the poor state of the police force in the state saying that the party used the police only to serve their political interests. He maintained that the civic volunteers were appointed at a large number instead of constables despite there have been over 43,000 vacancies.
“These volunteers had no eligibility or any training to serve the police. Yet, they were hired. Their job was to extort the people and serve the political leaders. Otherwise, they would not get an extension of their contracts,” CM claimed.
CM further took a dig at the Trinamool Congress for the huge number of post-poll violence. Condemning the latest rapid egg attacks on opposition leaders, he said that the men of ex-CM Ms. Banerjee threw bricks at him on the very day he defeated her in Nandigram at over 1,900 votes in 2021 Assembly election.
At least 1 lakh 10 thousand young men fled from West Bengal after the 2021 election; 355 shelter houses have been created for several such people, and 56 people were murdered in just three days after the election’s result was published. Over 300 women, including a leader from BJP’s minority cell, were raped or molested or paraded naked, he stated in the Assembly.
“What you did was not even done by the British rulers before 1947. We will not let any of you go. Several cases have been closed without a proper investigation. Those will be reopened,” said CM.
He stated that at least 1,955 FIRs for post-poll violence have been lodged between 2021 and 2024, against which 2,404 were arrested including 420 history-sheeters.
Published - July 23, 2026 07:21 am IST