ECI seeks report from Bengal DGP on alleged harassment of Electoral Roll Observer in Magraghat

New Delhi [India], January 4 : The Election Commission of India has asked West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) on the alleged misbehaviour and serious security lapses that occurred during a mob attack in Magrahat, South 24 Parganas district, involving Electoral Roll Observer C Murugan. The ECI has directed to submit the report by 5 pm on Tuesday, January 6.
The ECI in a letter to DGP said, "I am directed to state that the Election Commission has announced Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls in 12 States and UTs including the State of West Bengal on October 27, 2025. The Commission vide its letter dated November 28, 2025 has appointed C. Murugan, IAS, as one of the Electoral Roll Observers and assigned the districts of South 24 Parganas and Kolkata South to him. C Murugan, Electoral Roll Observer in his letter dated December 30, 2025 (copy enclosed) has reported a series of incidents that occurred during his visit to SIR hearing camps in Magrahat - 1, Magrahat - II and Kulpi Block of Diamond Harbour Sub-Division in South 24 Parganas."
"Further, the report dated December 30, 2025 of the Special Electoral Roll Observer and note dated December 30 2025 submitted by the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal also mention serious and disturbing incidents that occurred during the visit of the Electoral Roll Observer to SIR hearing camps at Magrahat-1, Magrahat-II and Kulpi Block under Diamond Harbour Sub-Division, South 24 Parganas district," ECI said.
The ECI further stated that the Commission has carefully examined the aforesaid reports and noticed that despite advance intimation of the tour programme to the Sub-Divisional Officer and Superintendent of Police, adequate security arrangements were not made and the Electoral Roll Observer was compelled to move through sensitive areas without proper police protection.
"Further, it has also been noticed that incidents of sloganeering, mob gathering, obstruction of official work and damage to the Observer's vehicle have been reported. Further, an FIR has been filed on December 29, 2025 against 30-40 unknown, unruly and agitated persons that too after repeated efforts. These incidents reflect serious lapses on the part of the police administration," the ECI said.
"The Commission has viewed these lapses seriously and directs you to furnish an Action Taken Report (ATR) on the said incidents, including details of police action taken, follow-up measures and steps initiated to fix responsibility, latest by Tuesday, January 6, 2026 by 5:00 PM, to the Commission," the letter further added.
West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday sharply criticised DGP (in-charge) Rajeev Kumar and said that the ECI had slapped him with a stinging wake-up call, and asked him to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR).
In a tweet on X, Suvendu Adhikari shared, "Mr. DGP (in-charge) Rajeev Kumar, the Election Commission of India has slapped you with a stinging wake-up call, and asked you to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) by Tuesday, January 6th, 5 PM, on the blatant security failures which led to the harassment of Electoral Roll Observer; C. Murugan (IAS), by a TMC-orchestrated mob attack in Magrahat; South 24 Parganas district. What a shameful display of "Law & Order" under Mamata Banerjee's dictatorship."
"The ECI calls it "serious lapses", we call it TREASON against Democracy. But here's the thing, Mr. DGP (in-charge), if your hands are tied by political compulsions and you're sweating over how to even initiate that ATR, I've got your back. Check the annexed videos, crystal clear footage identifying the perpetrators and master conspirators who help assembled and incited that frenzied mob in Magrahat and Kulpi. Will you finally grow a spine, file those FIRs, and haul these TMC thugs to justice? Time to choose: Serve the Constitution or keep serving the syndicate?," he added.