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Calcutta High Court declines to pass order on IPS Ajay Pal Sharma till Bengal poll ends
On April 29, 2026, the Calcutta High Court declined to pass any order against IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma until the Bengal elections concluded. The day also saw a Supreme Court petition for his urgent removal, a lawyer's plea regarding MCC violations, and the Election Commission's action against Falta's BDO, with political reactions from both TMC and BJP.
Why It Matters
The events center on election duty norms, the Model Code of Conduct, and the interactions among the judiciary, Election Commission, and political parties during West Bengal's voting process.
Timeline
7 Events
WB CEO defends Sharma's role as police observer
April 29, 2026
Manoj Kumar Agarwal, CEO of West Bengal, stated that Sharma is a senior IPS officer who knows his duties and jurisdiction as a police observer. He said Sharma had gone there with CAPF personnel to warn against violence and intimidation and that he has not taken any action.
Khan reacts to the Sharma saga with film references
April 29, 2026
TMC candidate Jahangir Khan reacted to the developments, alluding to the films Pushpa and Singham to say he would not allow BJP-appointed police officials to threaten voters.
EC removes Falta BDO Hazra hours before Phase 2 polling
April 29, 2026
The Election Commission, on Tuesday, removed Falta BDO Sourav Hazra hours before Phase 2 polling, citing non-cooperation with police observer Sharma. Hazra was transferred to Purulia. Falta is among the 142 seats going to polls on April 29.
Lawyer pleads for restraining Sharma; MCC violation alleged
April 29, 2026
On Tuesday, a lawyer verbally pleaded for an order restraining Sharma from acting in the zone and alleged that Sharma was threatening Jahangir Khan, the TMC candidate from Falta, and his family in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Justice Rao asked the lawyer to approach the Election Commission for grievances, and the lawyer claimed the EC had been informed but had not responded.
Supreme Court petition filed for urgent removal of Ajay Pal Sharma
April 29, 2026
Later in the day, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking the urgent removal of Ajay Pal Sharma from Bengal over alleged partisan conduct while he acted as a police observer.
Calcutta High Court declines to pass order on Sharma till Bengal poll ends
April 29, 2026
The Calcutta High Court, through Justice Krishna Rao, declined to pass any order against any officer on election duty until April 29, the date when the second and final phase of West Bengal elections was scheduled to conclude. The judge clarified that no action would be taken against any officer on poll duty before the polling ends. The court directed the lawyer to approach the Election Commission if there was a grievance, noting that the EC had been informed but had not yet responded.
Video posts on Sharma's warning to Khan circulate on April 28
April 28, 2026
On Monday, April 28, 2026, Amit Malviya shared a video on X purportedly showing Ajay Pal Sharma issuing warnings. The same video was uploaded on X by TMC MP Mahua Moitra, and the TMC reportedly released a video clip on the day showing Sharma warning Jahangir Khan, with Sharma directing his family to convey the message when Khan was not at home. BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar stated that they refrain from commenting on the TMC MP’s post.