Kolkata Police Officer Suspended Over Controversial WhatsApp Status

Gautam Das, a police officer in Kolkata, has been suspended for posting an inappropriate image on WhatsApp. The post allegedly violated service rules by showing Das in uniform pointing a firearm while captioned 'ready for new responsibility.' TMC lodged a complaint, leading to his suspension.

Kolkata Police officer Gautam Das has faced suspension following the circulation of a controversial WhatsApp status image, according to a senior Kolkata Police officer on Saturday. Das has been succeeded by Chameli Mukhopadhyay as the officer-in-charge of Kalighat police station.

The incident precedes the West Bengal Assembly election vote count by just two days. The suspension resulted from a Trinamool Congress complaint to the Election Commission, alleging that Das's social media post was 'objectionable' and contravened service regulations. TMC's state vice-president, Joyprakash Majumdar, highlighted Das's status featuring a firearm captioned 'ready for new responsibility' on X.

Majumdar criticized the image as discomforting and potentially illegal, suggesting it breached Kolkata Police's conduct guidelines. He questioned the authorization of the firearm displayed. TMC dispatched letters to key election and police officials requesting scrutiny and action. Notably, Das had recently replaced Utpal Ghosh as Kalighat OC.