The West Bengal government on Tuesday carried out a major reshuffle in the state police, transferring 33 IPS officers across key positions. Among the most significant changes is the transfer of Supratim Sarkar, who has been moved out as Additional Director General (ADG), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and posted as ADG, Telecommunications, a comparatively less significant assignment.
Natarajan Rameshbabu, who was serving as Director General (DG) of Prisons, has been appointed as the new ADG and head of the CID. The transfer order was issued by the state government from Nabanna.
Changes in Baruipur police district
The reshuffle also affected Baruipur Police District, where the administration has been under increased scrutiny following the recent rape and murder of a minor girl that triggered widespread political outrage.
Atish Biswas, previously posted in Purba Medinipur Rural, has been appointed as Additional Superintendent of Police, Baruipur Police District. Pinaki Dutta, who was serving as Additional SP in Baruipur, has been transferred as Deputy Inspector, Detective Branch (DIB), Baruipur. The investigation into the Baruipur case has already seen multiple changes in investigating officers.
Other key transfers
Several senior IPS officers have also been reassigned:
K. Jayaraman has been shifted from ADG, North Bengal to Director, Directorate of Economic Offences. Vishal Garg, earlier ADG, Western Zone, has been transferred to the Intelligence Branch (IB). Praveen Tripathi, who was serving as Inspector General (IG), Special Task Force (STF), has been posted as IG, Home Guards. In Kolkata Police, DC Cyber Crime Sparsh Neelangi has been transferred to the Enforcement Branch.
District-level changes
The reshuffle also includes transfers of several district police chiefs:
Pratiksha Jharkharia, Superintendent of Police (SP), Darjeeling, has been transferred to Kolkata Police.
Shrikant Jagannath Rao, formerly Deputy Commissioner, Detective Department, Kolkata Police, has been appointed the new SP, Darjeeling. Manish Joshi has been moved from Kolkata Traffic Police to take charge as SP, Cooch Behar.
CID leadership change
Supratim Sarkar’s transfer is being viewed as the most significant move in the reshuffle. He had been appointed as CID chief after the new BJP government assumed office. The CID is currently probing several high-profile cases, including investigations into complaints involving Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee during the election period. Abhishek had previously appeared for questioning before the CID under Sarkar’s leadership.
With Sarkar’s transfer within a month of taking charge, Natarajan Rameshbabu now assumes responsibility as the state’s new CID chief. He is widely regarded within the police establishment as an experienced and efficient officer.
